Report: Toronto Raptors plan to retire Kyle Lowry's No. 7 jersey when the six-time All-Star's career ends

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Kyle Lowry with the NBA Championship Trophy in 2019

The 2021 offseason brought an end to Kyle Lowry's highly successful nine-year stint with the Toronto Raptors.

The 35-year-old announced his departure to the Miami Heat before the teams could make the deal official in a post on social media

As part of the sign-and-trade that sent Lowry to Miami, the Raptors received veteran point guard Goran Dragic and 21-year-old sophomore forward Precious Achiuwa in return.

MORE: Appreciate Lowry, the Greatest Raptor of All-Time

“He will retire as a Raptor and his number will absolutely go up there,” said Larry Tanenbaum, Raptors governor and chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, in an exclusive with The Athletic's Jared Weiss

If it happens, Lowry - the Raptors' all-time leader in assists (4,277), steals (873), 3-pointers made (1,518) and triple-doubles (16) - will be the first player in franchise history to have his number retired. 

Earlier in March, prior to the midseason trade deadline, Lowry said that he planned to return to Toronto and retire a Raptor with a one-day contract if he was traded.

"I truly love Kyle," said Tanenbaum. "When he made the decision, he called me and we talked about it and I was so happy for him because I know one day he's going to come back."

"I love his leadership. I love his intelligence. I love his passion."

MORE: Lowry pens emotional farewell letter to Raptors | Siakam, VanVleet pen farewell message to Lowry

When he first arrived in Toronto in a trade deal from Houston, Lowry wore No. 3 for a season with big man Andrea Bargnani sporting No. 7, but the 6-foot guard changed to No. 7 the following year. 

The Lowry-Raptors partnership has been a mutually beneficial nine-year run. The point guard's best years, including six All-Star selections and an All-NBA selection in 2015-16, came with the Raptors. On the other hand, the franchise also enjoyed their most successful run with Lowry as their floor general.

During his nine years with the team, the Raptors clinched their lone NBA title and conference championship in 2019, won six of their seven division titles and recorded seven of their 12 postseason appearances.

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