Raptors All-Star Kyle Lowry says he'll opt out of contract, become a free agent

One day after the Toronto Raptors’ season ended with a four-game sweep against the Cleveland Cavaliers, All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry confirmed to reporters Monday that he will opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer.

https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/861618558656274433

The decision isn’t a surprise given that Lowry, 31, has been an All-Star three times since he re-upped with Toronto for three years with an option for a fourth in 2014. He was set to be paid $12 million for each year of that contract, and it’s possible that he could get a max deal from the Raptors or another team after opting out.

Lowry averaged a career-high 22.4 points and 4.8 rebounds to go along with 7.0 assists for a Raptors team that finished third in the East with a 51-31 record. He missed Games 3 and 4 against the Cavaliers with a sprained ankle and now must decide whether he wants to continue to fall short against Cleveland in the NBA playoffs or take his chances with another team. The Cavs have eliminated the Raptors each of the past two years, and this year the series wasn’t even close.