3 Toronto Raptors players who won’t be back next season

1. Kyle Lowry

Lowry drew interest at the trade deadline, but ultimately he stayed with the Raptors as he finished the final year of his contract. There will be suitors for him in free agency, with the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat as expected suitors, and a sign-and-trade could be done.

Lowry had another solid season in 2020-21, averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game over 46 games. At 35 years old, he has made his priorities clear.

“I want more championships”, and “money and years talk, let’s be real.” Lowry has already said he’s not looking to take a big pay cut from the $30 million he made this year, as he looks to cash in one more time. But, however obviously, he also wants to win another ring.

The Raptors aren’t close to winning another title, and Pascal Siakim likely missing the start of next season after shoulder surgery depletes their chances to return to the playoffs immediately. Then there’s the question of how wise it is to give a 36-year-old player the big multi-year contract he’ll be seeking, let alone the wisdom of the Raptors doing so just to keep a franchise stalwart around.

The Raptors and Lowry are headed for a parting of ways, however the mechanics of it look. Ideally, they’ll be able to orchestrate a sign-and-trade to get something back. But Toronto won’t be able to compete with other situations for long on the open market, and Lowry does not appear sentimental about the possibility of leaving.