Toronto Raptors: 5 offseason roster moves they need to make

Toronto Raptors offseason roster move No. 2: Re-sign Kyle Lowry

Long the poster child of the Toronto Raptors, Kyle Lowry is now in his mid 30’s. He is still a highly productive player who averaged 17.2 points, 7.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 34.8 minutes per game. This is not a bad effort at the age of 35.

What the Raptors cannot do is sign Lowry to a similar contract that he was on. He is not worth $30 million a season anymore. Nor should he be signed to any more than two or three seasons as his body will struggle to hold out for many more than that.

However, as is being shown by the Phoenix Suns’ success this season, if the right players are put around a savvy veteran, in their case Chris Paul, a team can be successful. Lowry has the ability and the championship experience to guide a young team back to the promised land.

He will sign the contract under the full knowledge that this is not his team anymore. Pascal Siakam is the leader of this team. As a result, Lowry needs to do what he has done for his entire career, give the team what it needs, but he will do it with less consistent opportunities.

He will still have the occasional game where he needs to take over. Hopefully, other players will take that responsibility on as Lowry enters the final stage of his career.