The GROAT Comes Home: Kyle Lowry Signs One-Day Contract to Retire as a Toronto Raptor
The 40-year-old icon fulfills his final promise, officially closing the book on his legendary 20-year NBA career in the city he helped turn into a championship town.
Summary
Kyle Lowry has officially announced his retirement from the NBA, signing a ceremonial one-day contract on Tuesday, July 7 (7/7) to retire as a member of the Toronto Raptors
The franchise confirmed that Lowry’s iconic #7 jersey will be raised to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena during the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season
The gritty point guard walks away as an absolute Canadian icon, having led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship in 2019 and cementing his legacy as the Greatest Raptor of All-Time
The Greatest Raptor of All-Time is officially coming home to hang it up. After a legendary run that spanned two decades and an unforgettable championship era, Kyle Lowry has made good on his final promise. On Tuesday, July 7—fittingly designated as 7/7—the 40-year-old icon signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the Toronto Raptors, closing the book on his Hall of Fame-caliber career in the exact city he considers home.
Lowry’s impact on Toronto basketball culture completely shifted the landscape. Traded to the Raptors in 2012, the gritty kid from North Philly evolved into the ultimate floor general, becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in assists, steals, and three-pointers. More importantly, he was the absolute heartbeat of the historic 2019 squad that brought the Larry O’Brien Trophy North of the border for the first time.
During an emotional press conference at the OVO Athletic Centre—which featured a surprise FaceTime call from Vince Carter and an in-person appearance from Kawhi Leonard—Raptors general manager Bobby Webster dropped another massive piece of news. The organization will officially retire Lowry’s #7 jersey during the upcoming season, making him just the second player in franchise history to receive the honor.
At the press conference, Kyle Lowry said, “I always said I would retire as a Raptor, and to be able to do that today means everything to me. This place, I call it home.” The cultural weight of the moment resonated throughout the entire city, with Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow officially declaring Tuesday as “Kyle Lowry Day.” To keep the energy going, the team is also planning a massive weekend-long celebration this September, featuring a charity golf tournament, a free fan block party, and a gala to properly honor his legacy.
Lowry leaves the hardwood as one of only twelve players in NBA history to log 20 seasons. While his playing days are over, his influence on the culture isn’t stopping anytime soon. He’s already slated to step into a new role as an NBA analyst for Prime Video and recently expanded his footprint in Toronto by joining the ownership group for the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo alongside his wife, Ayahna.
