Raptors GM Masai Ujiri on Kyle Lowry hitting free agency: 'We want him back'

The All-Star point guard recently made it clear that he intends to opt out of the final year of his contract

The Toronto Raptors were just eliminated from the playoffs Sunday, but there has already been plenty of activity since their offseason began. 

First, Kyle Lowry made it clear that he indeed intends to opt out of the final year of his contract this summer, which would make him a free agent. "I just want a ring," Lowry said Monday in regards to the decision.

General manager Masai Ujiri spoke to reporters Tuesday on a wide range of topics, at times segueing into abstract thoughts about team building. Perhaps most notable, however, were his comments about Lowry.

According to Ujiri, the Raptors want to retain their All-Star point guard, who is coming off a career year, averaging 22.1 points, seven assists and 4.8 rebounds while shooting over 41 percent from downtown. 

"It's our jobs to get Kyle back. He's been a huge part of our success here. We want him back."

— (((Eric Koreen))) (@ekoreen) May 9, 2017

Lowry did, however, struggle with injuries, playing just 60 games in the regular season before missing the Raptors' final two games against the Cavaliers, and has already turned 31. But Ujiri's position is unsurprising, because if not Lowry, who?

The Raptors will likely make changes this offseason, as Ujiri hinted, but if they fail to re-sign Lowry, the whole nature of their team changes. They aren't adding a better point guard or player this offseason, and without Lowry they fall from a contender to a middle-of-the-pack playoff team. 

And that is not what Ujiri is trying to build in Toronto.