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Kyle Lowry reiterates desire to retire as a Raptor: 'That is my everything'

Kyle Lowry may be soaring with the 11-6 Miami Heat and poised for contention in the East, but the former Raptors’ star guard still has Toronto in the back of his mind — and his heart.

In an interview with The Undefeated’s Marc Spears, the 35-year-old reiterated his desire to finish his remarkable career with the Raptors.

“Like I’ve said, and I’ll say it now, I will sign a one-day contract and I’ll retire as a Toronto Raptor,” Lowry said. “That is my everything.”

The Philadelphia-native played nine seasons with the Raptors, averaging 17.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 601 regular season appearances. He made six consecutive All-Star Games between 2014 and 2020, and helped guide Toronto to its first ever NBA Championship in 2019.

When the Heat visit the Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on Feb. 3 for Lowry’s first game back in Toronto, there probably won’t be a single dry eye in the building.

Kyle Lowry discussed retiring a Raptor, his highly-anticipated homecoming and his reasons for leaving Toronto in an interview with The Undefeated. (Getty)
Kyle Lowry discussed retiring a Raptor, his highly-anticipated homecoming and his reasons for leaving Toronto in an interview with The Undefeated. (Getty) (Getty Images)

“I’m a man’s man, but I know I’m going to be a little bit sensitive and crying that day,” he said. “But it’s one of them days where I know it’s going to be a lot of love for me and me giving love back, it’s just going to be interesting how it goes down because I don’t know what to expect.”

Miami’s new starting point guard has rejuvenated the Heat, adding leadership, playmaking and his characteristic toughness to a talented squad. In 15 games this season, the former Villanova Wildcat is averaging 12 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists, while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from three.

Lowry also spoke to Spears about his departure from the Raptors and why it was time to move on.

“For me, it was very bittersweet because I never wanted to leave,” he told The Undefeated. “But it was more a sense of: ‘All right, my kids are getting older. I want to be somewhere where they can be stable no matter what.’”

Kyle admitted that he felt it was time to pass the torch to the young core of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, and that he still keeps in touch with them regularly.

“We’ve created bonds that we will have forever,” Lowry said. “And those are people, those are kids and guys that are men now that I’ll support and cheer for no matter what the situation is.”

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