Toronto Raptors legends Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady have cast doubt on whether Kawhi Leonard should have his jersey number retired by the franchise, despite his pivotal role in securing the team's only NBA championship.
In a recent interview with GQ magazine, the two former Raptors stars were asked about which players might be next to have their numbers raised to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena. Carter's No. 15 was retired by the team in 2024.
When GQ's Yang-Yi Goh suggested Kyle Lowry as the likely next candidate, he also floated the names of Kawhi Leonard and DeMar DeRozan as potential honourees. McGrady was quick to react with disbelief at the mention of Leonard.
"Kawhi?" he said, while Carter responded, "possibly DeMar." McGrady repeated his incredulity: "Kawhi??"
Goh argued that Leonard's championship season in Toronto "was a big season, right?" But McGrady was unconvinced, pointing out that Leonard played only one season with the Raptors, and it wasn't even a full campaign due to load management. "One season! No, no. Thank you, Kawhi, but it wasn't even a full season," McGrady said.
Carter added a more nuanced perspective, acknowledging Leonard's contributions while emphasizing DeRozan's longer tenure and foundational role. "It's crazy to hear the story about him not wanting to go there and still having a magical season, and he deserves to be recognized somehow," Carter said. "But I just feel like DeMar deserves to be up there before that, because of the groundwork he put in prior to that."
Lowry's Case for Retirement
Kyle Lowry is widely considered the next Raptor in line for jersey retirement. The six-time All-Star point guard spent nine seasons in Toronto, averaging 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. He was instrumental in the Raptors' 2019 championship run and is often referred to as the "GROAT" (Greatest Raptor of All Time).
Lowry recently completed his 20th NBA season with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, who were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the New York Knicks. Earlier this year, during his final visit to Toronto as a player, Lowry committed to signing a one-day contract to retire with the Raptors, though no official announcement has been made.
Franchise Evolution Since Carter and McGrady
The interview also touched on how much the Raptors organization has changed since Carter and McGrady played for the team in the late 1990s and early 2000s. McGrady noted the stark differences in infrastructure and culture.
"I mean, we're talking 20-something years later, times are way different now than it was back then," McGrady said. "The sell back then was, the people in Toronto are nice and it's a great organization, how they treated us. But now, I mean, you got Drake involved. You got the infrastructure that's been built downtown ... My first year, we were driving like 30 minutes, 40 minutes outside the city to go to Scarborough for practice, because our practice facility wasn't built yet."
The Raptors currently have only one retired number in franchise history: Carter's No. 15. With Lowry likely next, the debate over Leonard's legacy in Toronto continues to spark discussion among fans and former players alike.
