Kyle Lowry Retires With the Toronto Raptors After 20 NBA Seasons
Kyle Lowry’s NBA career has ended exactly where his basketball legacy became larger than statistics. The six-time All-Star officially retired on July 7, 2026, after signing a ceremonial one-day contract with the Toronto Raptors. The carefully selected 7/7 announcement honored the No. 7 jersey that Lowry wore throughout his nine seasons in Toronto—and that the franchise now plans to raise permanently into the Scotiabank Arena rafters. Lowry leaves the league after 20 seasons, one NBA championship, an Olympic gold medal and a transformation from hard-driving point guard into one of the most important figures in Canadian basketball history.
Kyle Lowry Keeps His Promise to Toronto
Lowry had repeatedly said that he wanted to retire as a Raptor, even after his playing career carried him to Miami and Philadelphia. By returning for a one-day contract, he gave his career the ending Toronto supporters had expected since his departure from the franchise in 2021.
During his retirement announcement, Lowry thanked his family, teammates, coaches, opponents, staff members and fans. He described Toronto as home and emphasized that representing the Raptors meant playing for supporters across Canada—not only those inside the city.
The Raptors also confirmed that Lowry’s No. 7 will be retired during the 2026–27 season. A September celebration weekend and additional Lowry-themed nights are planned, with the jersey ceremony date expected to be finalized following the release of the NBA schedule. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow marked the occasion by proclaiming July 7 “Kyle Lowry Day.”
The Career That Made Lowry the GROAT
Lowry arrived in Toronto through a 2012 trade with the Houston Rockets. What initially appeared to be a solid roster move became one of the defining transactions in Raptors history. Over nine seasons, Lowry developed into the emotional and tactical center of Toronto’s most successful era. He earned six consecutive All-Star selections from 2015 through 2020, made the All-NBA Third Team in 2016 and helped push the franchise from repeated playoff disappointment to the 2019 NBA championship. Kawhi Leonard may have produced the most unforgettable shot of that championship run, but Lowry represented the continuity behind it. He had experienced the earlier postseason exits, the roster changes and the constant questions about whether Toronto could break through. When the Raptors finally defeated the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, Lowry’s celebration carried the weight of the entire journey.
That history explains the fan-created “GROAT” label: Greatest Raptor of All Time. Lowry was not the franchise’s most physically dominant star or its highest-profile scorer. His value came from competitive intensity, playmaking, defensive positioning and a willingness to absorb the difficult parts of winning basketball.
Lowry’s 20-Year NBA Career by the Numbers
The Memphis Grizzlies selected Lowry with the 24th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft after his college career at Villanova. He later played for Houston, Toronto, Miami and Philadelphia, completing his final season with the 76ers. Across 1,187 regular-season games, Lowry averaged 13.8 points, 6.0 assists and 4.2 rebounds. He finished with 2,209 made three-pointers, ranking 14th in NBA history when his retirement was announced. He was also one of only two point guards to complete 20 NBA seasons at that time, alongside Chris Paul.
Those totals document his longevity, but they do not fully capture how Lowry played. His career was built on details that rarely dominate highlight packages: drawing charges, creating extra possessions, pushing the pace and changing games without needing to lead the scoring column.
What Comes Next for Kyle Lowry
Retirement will not separate Lowry from basketball or Toronto. He has already moved into broadcasting work, and he and his wife, Ayahna Cornish-Lowry, joined the ownership group of the WNBA expansion franchise Toronto Tempo. The investment gives Lowry another role in the development of professional basketball in Canada. His next major Raptors moment will come when No. 7 is officially retired. That ceremony will recognize more than a decorated point guard. It will honor the player who helped Toronto become a championship city—and who chose to make the Raptors the final line of his playing story.
Kyle Lowry retires with a championship, six All-Star appearances and a permanent place in Raptors history. The numbers explain his longevity, but Toronto’s response explains his legacy: No. 7 became a symbol of the franchise’s rise from playoff hopeful to NBA champion.
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