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NBA Free Agency Rumors: Kyle Lowry meets with DeMar DeRozan and Dwane Casey

By Akash Anavarathan

Sep 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey poses with guards DeMar DeRozan (10) and Kyle Lowry (7) during media day at BioSteel Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey poses with guards DeMar DeRozan (10) and Kyle Lowry (7) during media day at BioSteel Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Free-agent point guard Kyle Lowry meets with DeMar DeRozan and Dwane Casey to discuss their future together with the Toronto Raptors.

The Toronto Raptors have a big offseason ahead, after being swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. It became more glaring as the series went on that the Raptors aren’t catching up to the level of the Cavaliers anytime soon.

Kyle Lowry declined his player option for 2017-18, thus making him a free agent on July 1. He is expected to be highly coveted by other teams who are looking for a star point guard. The Raptors’ point guard is 31 years old and approaching his 11th season in the NBA.

According to a report from ESPN, the Raptors’ head coach, Dwane Casey, and DeMar DeRozan met with Lowry in the Bay Area. Casey called the meeting between the players, which also included reserve Norman Powell. The Raptors’ head man wanted to show the culture of the NBA Finals to the Raptors’ players.

Toronto is under heavy pressure to re-sign Lowry, so they can try and stay atop the Eastern Conference and challenge Cleveland next season.

Lowry was once again effective for the Raptors, scoring 22.4 points per game on 46 percent shooting in 60 games this past season. The difference in performance between the regular season and postseason continues to be the big knock on him.

In eight games during these playoffs, Lowry only averaged 15.8 points per game, a significant drop from his regular season average. He also missed the last two games of the Cavaliers’ series, after being hampered by an ankle injury.

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Lowry mentioned that he only wanted to go somewhere he could win a championship — like all players typically say — but is also strongly considering his hometown of Philadelphia.

It will be another month till Lowry decides where he wants to play next, but the Raptors didn’t want to wait long to try and meet with their starting point guard.

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