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NBA Free Agency 2017: 20 best players available

By John Buhler

Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Clippers won 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyle Lowry, Celtics
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) during a break in the action against the Milwaukee Bucks in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyle Lowry

Point Guard, Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference not named the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s only fitting that they have the biggest player in the Eastern Conference hitting unrestricted free agency this summer in All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry.

Lowry has been massively instrumental in the best years of Raptors basketball history. He is a three-time All-Star with Toronto, having averaged 18.2 points, 6.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game in his five years with Canada’s professional basketball team.

While Lowry is a top-15 player in the NBA when he’s at his best, he will be 31-years old next season. Lowry will absolutely ask for the five-year deal with the Raptors on the max. Though that contract would be great for the Raptors initially, what happens in years four and five when he’s 34 and 35 years of age?

Given that he’s played his best ball for Toronto, it would be hard to see Lowry leave the Raptors organization. He will have his number retired by the team should he spend the rest of his NBA career in Canada. While being an ambassador for the sport in Canada, who’s to say that Lowry isn’t ready to go win a title? Toronto is close, but no cigar in that department going forward. It’d be surprising if Lowry left the Raptors, but he could be willing to take less to win a ring elsewhere.

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