Toronto Raptors: Don’t be concerned about Kyle Lowry

By David Morassutti | Sep 26, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 27: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the Washington Wizards in the second half during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

With the Toronto Raptors starting training camp in Vancouver, a new report suggests that Kyle Lowry avoided contact with team officials.

When Kyle Lowry spoke at the Toronto Raptors media day on Monday everything appeared to be business as usual for the point guard.

It appears that this wasn’t the case over the summertime when the trade was made to send close friend DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard. According to TSN’s Josh Lewenberg, Lowry wasn’t taking calls or messages from Masai Ujiri and Nick Nurse.

Seeing this report isn’t something to toss aside as irrelevant but considering the circumstances and how Lowry addressed the situation shouldn’t raise any concerns.

Lowry admitted that the relationship between him and DeRozan goes beyond basketball so if he wasn’t happy about seeing his friend leave is understandable. At the same time, the 32-year-old understands the business when it comes to being traded and considering the move gives the Raptors a serious shot at going to the NBA Finals he should be excited.

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The Raptors went from a team in serious turmoil to back in contention in the Eastern Conference and if the team has success, Lowry shouldn’t have anything to complain about and he hasn’t voiced any either (that we know of).

Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report wrote how important it will be for Lowry and Nurse to be on the same page but don’t forget that the Raptors’ new head coach has been with the team as an assistant since 2013. Ujiri has probably already

Would he have liked to do it with his friend? Sure, but they weren’t able to get the job in all their trips to the postseason and the goal is to win championships, something he made clear during his press conference.

"“I’m here to do my job,” Lowry told reporters. “One thing about me is I’ve always been prepared to come in and try to win a championship. I’ve always been given an opportunity to go out there and do me, and come back ready to go, in shape, ready to play. My mindset never changes: Come to work for the Toronto Raptors, try to win a gold ball. That’s the same as it’s been since my first year here. That’s been my sentiment: Trying to win a gold ball here.”"

Those comments don’t seem to suggest that Lowry isn’t going to buy into the changes considering his role is to be one of the team’s top players alongside Leonard.

The Raptors don’t need Leonard and Lowry to become best friends, they just need them to produce on the court and he made it clear that those are his intentions.

"“We’ll have a full season, we have a full week of training camp to get to know each other,” Lowry said. “He’s my teammate now so I’m excited to play with him, and I always ride or die for my teammates. Go out there and play basketball, win as many games as possible, and at the end of the year hold up that trophy.”"

So if any Raptors fans are worried about they’re in for this season, Lowry is the least of their worries. He will show up and be professional despite what the rumours suggest.

Next. 4 things we learned from media day. dark

What did you make of the Lowry report? Is there any reason to be concerned about him going into this season? Let us know in the comments below.

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