Kyle Lowry is already making plans for the Toronto Raptors' next jersey retirement.
Lowry wants Toronto to retire DeMar DeRozan's No. 10 jersey once he calls it a career, he shared during his charity golf tournament on Friday, which DeRozan attended.
“Oh, No. 10 (DeRozan’s number) should definitely go up there," Lowry said. "Without a doubt."
DeRozan spent nine years in Toronto after being drafted ninth overall in 2009, and remains the Raptors' all-time leading scorer to this day.
The now-Denver Nugget played six of his seasons North of the border alongside Lowry. The duo took the Raptors to new heights, but DeRozan was traded to San Antonio as part of the first Kawhi Leonard trade prior to Toronto's NBA title in 2019.
DeRozan's jersey being hung in the rafters has been a topic of debate over the years following his departure, majorly due to his inability to get the Raptors a championship during his time as the No. 1 option on the roster.
DeRozan also appeared in a Kendrick Lamar music video dissing the Raptors' global ambassador, Drake.
Drake responded by saying he would pull a DeRozan banner down himself if one ever did hang in Scotiabank Arena. However, DeRozan's accomplishments with Toronto cannot be ignored.
Through 675 games with the Raptors, he averaged 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a steal on 44.8 per cent shooting. He also made four All-Star games, two All-NBA teams and finished as high as eighth in MVP voting.
Toronto also still holds a special place in DeRozan's heart despite the debates, and he would love to see his number hang in the rafters.
"I hope so,” DeRozan said. “This will always be home for me.”
Lowry's No. 7 will be retired on Jan. 10. It will be the second jersey to hang in Scotiabank Arena, joining Vince Carter's No. 15.
