Lowry says he will retire a Raptor, one way or another

Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry didn't completely shut down any rumblings that his days with the team might be numbered, but he did say Wednesday he would retire as a Raptor one way or another.

"I will retire as a Toronto Raptor ... one-day contract, hey, whatever happens," the franchise cornerstone told reporters ahead of Thursday's second-half opener against the Atlanta Hawks.

"I'd like to see is finish the season out as strong as possible, and whatever happens happens," he added. "At the end of the day, myself, my agent, the organization ... everyone has to do what's best for them. For me, I know I'm still playing at a good enough level where I can help us and get better."

Lowry did take issue with a recent rumor stating he would prefer any potential trade to focus on his hometown Philadelphia 76ers and stressed the reports did not come from him.

"I don't really get into that stuff, and it doesn't bother me because rumors are rumors, but when something is said that doesn't verbally come from me, and I haven't said anything like that, that's when it gets to the point of, OK, clear the air," he said.

Lowry also appeared to shoot down those reports on Instagram Tuesday.

However, he didn't rule out the Raptors possibly deciding to trade his expiring contract for assets. Lowry turns 35 on March 25 - which also happens to NBA trade deadline day.

"Honestly, I don't know. If I could ... look at a crystal ball I would tell you, but I don't know what the crystal ball says," Lowry added. "We've just got to get to that point and figure it out from there."

Lowry blossomed as an NBA star after arriving in Toronto in 2012 before his seventh pro season, which he made note of Wednesday.

"Toronto has been my team," he said. "It's a franchise that helped me become the player I've become, the man I've become. I've helped grow the game of basketball, won a championship, this, that and the other ... the connection that we have, it's always been a home to me."