Raptors Fans Show Love For Kyle Lowry In Touching Send-Off & Honestly, You'll Need A Tissue

It's official — the Toronto Raptors' star player, Kyle Lowry, is parting ways with the 6ix after nine seasons with the team.

On Monday, August 2, Lowry took to his social media to announce his departure from the Raptors to move down south to the Miami Heat. According to the Associated Press, Lowry has signed a three-year deal that's worth about US$90 million in a sign-and-trade that will bring Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa to the Raptors.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mayor John Tory and a former Raptors teammate have all taken to Twitter to celebrate and pay tribute to Lowry, who many have hailed as the "Greatest Raptor Of All Time."

On Tuesday, Trudeau tweeted out his support and well wishes to the beloved point guard, calling the move the "end of an era."

Lowry has undeniably been an integral part of Toronto's beloved basketball team after helping take the Raptors to a championship victory back in 2019. However, trade rumours started circulating earlier this year when a house belonging to KL7 Inc. was listed for $5.3 million in Toronto.

Now that Lowry is officially moving on, Mayor John Tory issued a public statement paying tribute to his time in Toronto. On top of thanking Lowry for the "joy and pride he brought Toronto," Tory also said that he's confident a statue will be made in honour of the "GROAT" (there have been petitions for months now calling on the city to do this).

Former Raptors teammate Serge Ibaka also commented on the new trade and noted that Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo will have a "career year" with Lowry joining the team.

However, Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet has not yet spoken out about his friend's move. But who knows, maybe Lowry will have another chance to grill him about it in a post-game Q+A period?

Of course, Drake had something to say about Lowry leaving the team. "The city is yours eternally and we wish you the best in south beach... we will continue to celebrate you", the rapper wrote on his Instagram story.

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Another notable free agent in the NBA this year is none other than former Raptor DeMar DeRozan, and recently Lowry liked this tweet about a reunion between the two players.

Will the two finally be reunited again? Only time will tell.