The Toronto Raptors brought perhaps the most iconic duo in franchise history back together this week.
On its Open Gym YouTube channel, as part of the 30th anniversary of the Raptors, the team created an episode aptly titled: ‘Brothers’ about Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
Lowry and DeRozan own a significant chunk of prominent Raptors records and combined, sent the franchise to some of its greatest heights after Lowry joined DeRozan via a trade from the Houston Rockets before the 2012-13 season.
On the episode, which included interviews with former general manager Bryan Colangelo, who drafted DeRozan ninth overall in 2009 and dealt for Lowry, current GM Bobby Webster, long-time head coach Dwane Casey and former teammates like Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell, amongst others, Lowry and DeRozan talked of their bond, how it came to be, what it grew into, and reminisced on memorable moments together as Raptors.
DeRozan also talks about wanting to re-sign with the club for a day to end his career.
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“Me being drafted there there was no other place I wanted to go. I just always think about even the tweet that I tweeted when Chris (Bosh) left (DeRozan famously tweeted: “Don’t worry, I got us,” to Raptors fans). You know don’t worry, I got us. Like I meant that. I meant that wholeheartedly and I think the love and the ups and downs I really gave my all to that organization, to that country because I just wanted to be respected in return,” DeRozan said.
“That’s the only place I want to go out as well, doing the whole one-day thing.”
DeRozan had said during a visit with Sacramento earlier this season that he tries not to think about what it will be like to have his jersey retired by the Raptors at some point.
Lowry has spoken about one-day contracts and honours more often.
In March of 2021, after the Raptors did not trade him by mutual agreement, Lowry said: “I will retire as a Toronto Raptor … One day contract? Hey, whatever happens.” He did get moved, to the Miami Heat, that summer.
“I’m definitely retiring as a Raptor,” Lowry said again in Toronto before his Miami Heat took on the Raptors in December, 2023. “I will sign that (one) day contract and I will retire as a Toronto Raptor. That’s just how it’s going to be.”
Lowry also said it again on the Open Gym episode.
That day might not be too far away, with Lowry, 39 in March, averaging career lows for scoring, shooting and assists for Philadelphia. This is the sixth straight season his scoring has dipped.
Meanwhile, DeRozan, 36 in August, continues to play well. He’s set to average at least 20 points for the 12th season in a row.