What to know
- Kyle Lowry shared a cryptic social media video featuring calls and messages from former Raptors teammates, including DeMar DeRozan.
- The Raptors announced a Tuesday morning “milestone team announcement” featuring a special guest.
- Reports last week suggested Lowry is expected to retire as a Raptor by signing a ceremonial one-day contract, though the team has not confirmed that.
- Fans are flooding social media with theories ranging from Lowry’s retirement to a possible DeMar reunion after the veteran guard became a free agent Monday.
Kyle Lowry may have only posted a 29-second video, but Raptors fans have spent hours trying to solve it.
The franchise icon’s cryptic social media teaser—posted just before the Raptors announced a Tuesday morning “milestone team announcement”—has sent supporters into full detective mode, with theories ranging from Lowry’s long-rumoured retirement as a Raptor to an emotional reunion with longtime teammate DeMar DeRozan.
Lowry’s video shows him hitting golf balls while his phone fills with calls and messages from former Raptors teammates, coaches and franchise legends. But among the dozens of notifications, there’s only one call he answers: DeRozan’s.
With reports already suggesting Lowry is expected to sign a ceremonial one-day contract to retire as a Raptor—and after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday that DeRozan had become a free agent—the internet quickly connected the dots.
‘Being a Raptors fan is so intense right now’
The reactions poured in almost immediately, with fans admitting they had no idea what Lowry was teasing—but couldn’t stop speculating.
One of the most-liked comments summed up the mood simply:
“BEING A TORONTO RAPTORS FAN IS SO INTENSE RIGHT NOW 😂😂😂”
Others hoped the teaser meant Lowry still had one more season left.
“YOU GOT 1 MORE SEASON LEFT IN YOU.”
Another fan joked: “hold up wait a minute.”
‘Run it back’
The biggest theory centred around bringing pieces of Toronto’s beloved championship core back together.
Fans floated the possibility of Lowry, DeRozan and even Kawhi Leonard somehow reuniting.
“Lol they running it back with kawhi.
“Kyle and DeMar are really trading for a great Raptors return 😄😳
“One more year! You & @demar_derozan back in the 6 for a championship run before riding into the sunset please 🙏🙏🙏
Another supporter wrote:
“Man we need one more run with the two Toronto legends @kyle_lowry7 @demar_derozan 🔥🔥
Even Blue Jays joined the conversation, commenting:
“From North Philly back to your city? 👀🇨🇦”
‘Is DeMar going to be there tomorrow?’
Others focused on the possibility that Tuesday’s announcement could involve more than Lowry alone.
After OG Anunoby reposted a photo from his Raptors days, fans immediately began wondering if more former players could be involved.
“OG’s repost, is he going to be here tomorrow 🥺
Another fan asked:
“Are they both going back to Toronto?!
One commenter added:
“Come home GOAT Toronto needs you back 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️”
Speculation surrounding Lowry has been building since reports emerged last week that the six-time NBA All-Star is expected to sign a one-day contract and retire as a member of the Raptors, the franchise where he won an NBA championship in 2019 and became the team’s all-time assists leader.
The rumour mill intensified Monday after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that DeRozan had been waived by the Sacramento Kings, making the former Raptors star a free agent.
While there has been no indication from the Raptors that DeRozan is involved in Tuesday’s announcement, his appearance in Lowry’s teaser, and the fact that his was the only call Lowry answered, was enough to send fans into speculation mode.
