An All-Star guard will be added to the NBA free-agency pool this summer. Kyle Lowry announced Monday that he’s going to opt out of his contract with the Toronto Raptors, as expected.
Expected as it was, Kyle Lowry made it official this AM in Toronto, telling local reporters: "I will be opting out" to become a free agent
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 8, 2017
ESPN’s Marc Stein noted on Sunday that there was some buzz building that Lowry will be setting his sights on joining a Western Conference team.
Late-season rumbles that Kyle Lowry will give legit thought to a free-agent switch to the West are sure to rise in volume after this series
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 7, 2017
No doubt, he’s just sick and tired of not being able to beat LeBron James — a guy Lowry says is a top-five player in NBA history — in the east.
The Raptors were helpless to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers during the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Even before Lowry injured his ankle, Cleveland was dominating Toronto. As it was, the Raptors were swept aside with ease, marking the second year in a row in which they’d been dispatched by Cleveland.
It’s going to be fascinating to see where Lowry ends up. This past season, Lowry averaged 22.4 points, seven assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.