Kyle Lowry Reportedly Set to Announce NBA Retirement with Honorary 1-Day Raptors Contract

Twenty-year NBA veteran Kyle Lowry is planning to sign a one-day contract with the Toronto Raptors before officially announcing his retirement, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet.

The Raptors are planning to honor Lowry, who played nine seasons with Toronto and helped lead the franchise to its first NBA title in 2019, with a ceremony on Tuesday, per Grange.

"The team has planned an event and press conference for Tuesday, July 7 — Lowry wore No. 7 — billing it to invitees as a "monumental moment" in Raptors history, per sources. 

"The event on Tuesday is expected to set the stage for additional recognition of the so-called GROAT (the Greatest Raptor of All-Time) as the 2026-27 season unfolds, per sources, with a likely jersey retirement planned at Scotiabank Arena during the regular season, where Lowry's No. 7 would join Vince Carter's No. 15 as the only Raptors jersey hanging at the downtown arena."

Lowry appeared to address the news on Instagram:

Lowry played for the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets over his first seven seasons before the Rockets traded him to the Raptors in July 2012.

Over nine seasons in Toronto, Lowry averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. He made the All-Star team in six straight seasons and made the All-NBA Third Team in 2015-16.

Toronto made the playoffs each season from 2013-14 to 2019-20 with Lowry running the point. The Raptors won between 51 and 59 games per season from 2015-16 to 2019-20.

In addition to the aforementioned accolades, Lowry is also Toronto's all-time leader in three-point field goals, assists and steals. He also won a gold medal with Team USA men's basketball at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Needless to say, Lowry is a Raptor legend, especially after the NBA championship season. So a day in honor of Lowry is certainly appropriate.