Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry is reported to select opt-out option after the end of the season. He will become a free agent but that doesn't mean he will leave Toronto as he expect to return to play for Raptors.
Lowry is still under contract until 2018, but he is free to opt-out next year as reported by Yahoo! Sports. He is reported to take the opt-out option to become free agent after the end of this season.
He will waive his $12 million salary in the 2017-18 season to enter the free agent market joining LA Clipper's point guard Chris Pauland Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry. However, Curry has said that plans to re-sign with the Warriors and come back to the Oracle Arena.
Meanwhile Lowry is still exercising his option, as he can have a wide range of teams that wants use his playmaking ability. The team such as the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and LA Clippers can offer him a maximum contract. But it seems the 30-year old player will continue to play in Toronto and at the same time earning more.
The Raptors re-signed shooting DeMar ReRozan this offseason and it is very likely they will also re-sign Kyle Lowry as he become the free agent on July 1, according to CBS Sports. But there is a possibility that would change things between Toronto Raptors and Lowry in this season.
Meanwhile in their third preseason game against LA Clippers on Wednesday Oct. 5 in Staples Center, the Clippers defeated Raptors 104-98. Raptors sidelined Lowry and to play Fred VanVleet as the starter point guard, who made three points and three assists. While DeRozan led the scorers with 20 points, two assists and one steal.
Lowry was drafted by Memphis Grizzlies as 24th pick in 2006 draft. He played in Memphis for before being traded to Houston Rockets in 2009. After four seasons in Houston, Rockets traded Lowry to the Raptors in 2012 in exchange for Gary Forbes and a future first round pick.
In Raptors, Lowry and DeRozan made a strong backcourt team since 2013-14 season. Lowry's leadership skill and playmaking ability, combined with DeRozan scoring ability made Raptors one of the best team in the Eastern Conference. Raptos need the duo to be back together in order to bring the team advancing further in the playoffs season.