He stay? He go. He stay? He go?... He stay!
It's a glorious day for Toronto Raptors fans as trade rumours involving veteran point guard and practical human mascot Kyle Lowry prove false.
The Raptors are keeping Kyle Lowry, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
The news was announced minutes after the NBA's trade deadline on Thursday, as fans waited nervously to find out if the very face of the Raptors franchise would stay in Canada or leave, potentially for the Miami Heat or LA Lakers.
Everyone waiting with baited breath watching the “shot clock”
— Christina Carinci (@bigwinbabe) March 25, 2021
Hopes of the six-time NBA All-Star staying in Toronto weren't high.
The Lakers were in “serious” talks with the Raptors for Kyle Lowry, but they did not want to part with THT, via @ShamsCharania.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 25, 2021
Fortunately for Toronto, a trade agreement for Lowry was not reached with another team by the NBA's 3 p.m. deadline. Lowry stays. We win.
Toronto right now <3 https://t.co/AckhZBiV7K pic.twitter.com/3o3I8VJOld
— angelyn francis (@angelynsayshi) March 25, 2021
Considered by many to be the greatest Raptor of all time, Lowry joined Toronto in 2012 and has since proven himself to be one of the team's most valuable (and loveable) players.
Wearing my K Low so proud today. Greatest raptor of all time, build the damn statue tomorrow trade or not #Raptors #KyleLowry pic.twitter.com/I92po4sFIj
— Jonathan Sas (@jonnysas_) March 25, 2021
The 35-year-old Philadelphia native was a driving force behind Toronto's historic 2019 NBA Championship win and currently holds the Raptors' franchise records for most triple-doubles and most three-point goals in a season.
#masai @Klow7 #WeTheNorth @Raptors Phew! I feel like we dodged a bullet! It is bad enough to see Norm go. I don’t think I could have coped if our beloved KLow was gone too.
— Marli Ramsey (@pipesup) March 25, 2021
He's also just known to be a really great guy — always smiling, hustling on the court, mugging for fans and hyping his team members.
This is how much Kyle Lowry means to the Raptors, to Toronto, and all of Canada: pic.twitter.com/3Eq1nVlerD
— abdul (@biryaniabdul) March 25, 2021
Had Lowry been traded, it would certainly have been the most painful loss for Raptors fans this season, if not ever (or at least since DeMar DeRozan went to The Spurs).
Update:
— taylor (@ItsLowrysWorld) March 25, 2021
30 minutes after the trade deadline, Raptors twitter is simmering down after hearing Lowry was not traded. Life is still good. https://t.co/5nlHkJCDUy
Of the starters who brought Canada its first NBA championship, only Lowry, Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam remain Raptors.
Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol and, of course, Kawhi Leonard are already long gone and Norm Powell was traded away to the Portland Trail Blazers just a few hours ago. Matt Thomas and Terence Davis were also traded to the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings, respectively.
Klow in the dressing room after his entire team got traded and he’s still there pic.twitter.com/ZqVHEAXQ9y
— Jim Rutherford Burner (@virty20) March 25, 2021
Still, some are confused (albeit delighted) about the situation.
Lowry's $30.5 million contract was set to expire at the end of this season, after all. Plus, he also (allegedly) just sold his Toronto home.
Turns out the only trade to actually happen involving Kyle Lowry was him flipping houses cause this Toronto home just ain’t big enough to hold another 🏆#WeTheNorth ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/5nOyLVXWGo
— Jeff the Ref (@JTRjefftheref) March 25, 2021
"Let me say this, I will retire as a Toronto Raptor," said Lowry to press a few weeks ago as trade rumours were swirling. "That, if I'm here, I will retire as a Toronto Raptor. You know, one-day contract, hey, whatever happens."
The father of two also called Toronto his "second home" that day, praising the city and team for allowing him to "grow into the man and player I am today."
I guess we can put our blueprints for an ample-bottomed statue outside the Scotiabank Arena away for now.
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