The Toronto Raptors made a major trade over the offseason, shipping out franchise cornerstone DeMar DeRozan and bringing in Kawhi Leonard. That trade apparently didn’t sit very well with Kyle Lowry, who teamed with DeRozan the past six seasons.
According to TSN Raptors reporter Josh Lewenberg, Lowry avoided the Raptors’ front office during the summer.
From Lewenberg:
“Of greater concern, per league sources, Lowry had also been dodging calls and texts from team officials, including president Masai Ujiri and new head coach Nick Nurse, who Lowry said he only spoke with briefly right after Nurse was promoted in June.”
Lowry may be hurting somewhat from the loss of his close friend, but that does not mean this season won’t be a success. He has shown up for training camp and appears to be on the same page as Leonard.
The Raptors, who have been unable to get over the Cavaliers hump in the postseason despite successful regular seasons, also have something else going for them: the absence of LeBron. Without James in the East any longer, they may have their best shot at finally reaching the Finals. Of course, the Celtics may have something to say about that.
