Raptors champion Kyle Lowry retires after 20 NBA seasons

Kyle Lowry, the point guard who helped deliver the Toronto Raptors' only NBA championship in 2019, is retiring after 20 seasons. He announced the decision Tuesday in an Instagram video, signing a one-day contract with the Raptors to end his career in Toronto.

Lowry spent nine seasons with the Raptors, more than with any other franchise. He holds the team's career records for assists, steals, triple-doubles and 3-pointers made. He ranks second in games played, minutes and points, behind only his longtime backcourt partner DeMar DeRozan.

"It's hard work, grit, passion and, of course, a champion," Lowry said in the video. "The guy who was there, the guy who stuck through everything, believing it was supposed to be what it was supposed to be. It was supposed to happen and it did."

Lowry, 40, entered the league as the No. 24 pick in the 2006 draft, selected by the Memphis Grizzlies. The former Villanova standout moved to the Houston Rockets in a 2009 trade. Houston sent him to Toronto in 2012. He was dealt to the Miami Heat in 2024 and spent the last three seasons with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers.

"I've been fortunate enough to play this game for two decades," Lowry said. "All my stops; Memphis, Houston, Miami, Philly, of course Philly, all my love to Philly, and last, Toronto, my home."

Over 1,187 career regular-season games, Lowry averaged 13.8 points, 6.0 assists and 4.2 rebounds. His best scoring season came in 2016-17, when he averaged 22.8 points per game. He made the All-Star team every year from 2015 through 2020, all as a Raptor.

Raptors general manager Bobby Webster summed up the impact. "I think everyone in this building, in this city, in this country, even myself, will remember Kyle for something different," Webster told reporters Tuesday. "I think watching him play basketball stirred everybody's heart."