The Toronto Raptors are set to make what they’re calling “a milestone press conference” on Tuesday morning, and the guesswork around it is barely a mystery at this point.
All signs point to a Kyle Lowry return to Toronto in ceremonial form. The team announced Monday that general manager and executive vice-president Bobby Webster will be joined by a special guest for a milestone team announcement on July 7, and the date itself has only added to the chatter. With the event landing on the seventh day of the seventh month - and Lowry having worn No. 7 - the expectation is that he’ll sign a ceremonial one-day contract before officially retiring as a Toronto Raptor.
Lowry helped fan that speculation on Monday when he posted a video to Instagram showing text messages from former Raptors teammates OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, followed by a phone call from longtime friend and former teammate DeMar DeRozan.
Last week, Sportsnet’s Michael Grange reported that the 40-year-old plans to sign a one-day contract with Toronto and retire from the NBA.
Lowry’s Raptors résumé is the kind that still defines an era. He spent nine of his 20 NBA seasons in Toronto, became a six-time All-Star, and was the face of the team’s run to the 2018-19 championship - the first NBA title in franchise history. He also remains the franchise’s all-time leader in assists, steals and three-pointers.
If Tuesday’s announcement is indeed the one everyone expects, Lowry would become the first player to retire as a Toronto Raptor. Vince Carter had his No. 15 retired by the team, but he did not sign a one-day contract when he retired after the 2019-20 season.
Raptors fans won’t have to wait long to find out. The press conference is scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m.
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