TORONTO — With a rich new contract in his back pocket that will keep him in Toronto for three more years, Kyle Lowry joked he now needs a Canadian passport.
The Philadelphia native officially signed a new three-year deal worth a reported US$100 million with the Raptors on Friday once the NBA's signing moratorium was lifted.
Toronto also re-signed Serge Ibaka to a three-year, $65 million contract.
Lowry, a three-time NBA all-star, admitted he had options in free agency, but that Toronto presented him with the best opportunity to chase an NBA championship.
"I believe this is the best situation to win a ring," Lowry said. "The (Eastern Conference) has changed a lot, but I can't worry about what's going on with other teams, I got to worry about what's going on with my organization, my team, my teammates."
In five seasons with Toronto, the six-foot, 205-pound guard averaged 18.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists over 354 regular season games.
The 31-year-old averaged 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 39 playoff appearances with the Raptors.
Lowry opted out of his four-year $48 million contract signed in July 2014 to become a free agent in May, but said he didn't come close to signing elsewhere.
"You do consider (your options)," he said. "You say, 'You've been here five years, what about this? What about trying something new? What about this or trying that?'
"The thought process is always there, but you're comfortable, you're happy, you want to give more — it makes the decision process a lot easier.
Lowry, who will enter the 2017-18 season as the Raptors' all-time leader with 828 made three-pointers, second in assists (2,405) and sixth in scoring with 6,430 points, is also looking forward to embracing more of a leadership role with the club.
"I want to make sure we continue to get better," said Lowry. "We're all in, I'm all in.
"At the end of the day, I want to help this organization get better, I want to help the younger guys get better, I want to take this city to new heights, I want to take this country to new heights.
Part of taking the team to new heights will be teaming up with Ibaka for a full season.
After the Raptors acquired the forward/centre from Orlando, Lowry appeared in just five regular season games with Ibaka due to the point guard's wrist and ankle injuries.
"Last year was such a rush," Lowry said. "I think after a full training camp, getting the communication down, getting the coverages down, being able to see what Serge likes, getting more time with Delon (Wright) and all the guys on the floor together, kind of make sure we're on the same page, get a full year together helps.
"(Ibaka) gives that stretch-four, stretch-five that we need, gives us shot-blocking."
Ibaka, the six-foot-10, 235-pound native of the Republic of the Congo, averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 30.7 minutes in 79 games last season split between Orlando and Toronto.
"Since the first time I got here, one of the big things was the style we play and the confidence from my coaches," Ibaka said of re-signing with the Raptors. "Also, the fans, that (played) into the decision for me to get back here."
With Ibaka and Lowry back in the fold, Raptors president Masai Ujiri says the club is comfortable heading into the season with the current roster, but hinted further moves are likely over the summer as the Raptors try to get under the NBA salary cap.
"I'm very comfortable," he said. "We'll figure it out as it goes, we have assets to get off, but we'll figure that one (out) as time goes whether it's now or into the season. There are many ways to get around it and that's where (general manager Bobby Webster) comes into play."
Dhiren Mahiban, The Canadian Press
