The already loaded free agent market next summer will reportedly be adding yet another All-Star in Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry.
Lowry is under contract till 2018 but can opt out next summer, which is exactly what he is planning on doing, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski. But although Lowry is opting out, that doesn't mean he wants to leave Toronto. Lowry is hopeful that he can re-sign while earning more money.
"If you're that franchise's guy, and you're the guy that they've been rolling with, and you've given that franchise everything you have, yeah, I think [the talks] should be easy," Lowry told The Vertical. "I think it should be a situation where a guy shouldn't have to talk to another team. DeMar didn't have the chance to talk to another team. ...
"For me, I think that at 12:01 a.m. on July 1 - something should be close. If not, I'm open to seeing what else is out there."
With the explosion of the salary cap this past summer, it would make almost no sense if Lowry did not opt out in 2017 as he would be leaving millions on the table. At 30 years old, he is likely due for one or maybe two more big paydays and next summer could be it for him. Of course with his age, the length of Lowry's contract could vary from other top point guards that will be free agents next offseason.
The Raptors have a history of rewarding their stars and re-signing them like they did with DeMar DeRozan this past offseason so it is very likely that they will re-sign Lowry on the first day of free agency. But July 1 is a long ways away from now and anything could happen throughout the course of the season that could change things in Toronto for Lowry.
