Kyle Lowry provides insight into the Raptors’ decision to honor Vince Carter

Before the Toronto Raptors could decide who would become the first player to be honored with a jersey retirement, they turned to Kyle Lowry. For a franchise that owes so much to both Lowry and Vince Carter, the decision was not made lightly.

But for Lowry, it was an obvious choice.

“There have been discussions,” Lowry admitted Friday. “For me it was like that, yes. He definitely deserves that.”

Carter’s No. 15 will be raised to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena on Nov. 2, a moment planned as part of the Raptors’ 30th NBA season celebration and in recognition of Carter’s induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this month is.

For Lowry, Carter’s impact on the city and the franchise cannot be overstated.

“Having the opportunity to go there to a place that he really put on the map and made people realize that this place isn’t just hockey, it’s impressive,” Lowry said Friday morning before shootaround for the Philadelphia 76ers . “It’s an honor.”

It is said that there were discussions within the organization about waiting. Had Lowry already retired, he would undoubtedly have been the first player to have his jersey retired. But at 38, Lowry isn’t going away just yet.

How long he will play and how often he will return to Toronto in uniform remains unclear. What is clear, however, is that Lowry will not challenge Carter’s record of 22 NBA seasons in the league.

“Hell no!” Lowry said, laughing. “I feel great. I have a sharp mind and it’s just an honor and a privilege to be able to be around these great players and this great team and be in this league.”

Friday night’s game against the Raptors will be one of Lowry’s final appearances in the city where he built his legacy. Another return is planned for March and could be his last as a player.

“It’s always a blessing to come here,” he said. “I still have that great feeling of being in a place I call home and seeing familiar faces. It never gets boring.”

If Lowry does indeed decide to call it quits, Toronto will be waiting to embrace him. He has repeatedly said that he plans to sign a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the organization, and there is little doubt that his No. 7 will go down just like Carter.

What would it mean?

“The world,” Lowry said. “Something a child can only dream of, but we’ll see if it ever happens.”

When Toronto takes off Carter’s jersey, it will be during a game against the Sacramento Kings with another Raptors big man DeMar DeRozan in town. While DeRozan’s legacy doesn’t quite match the transformative influence of Carter or the championship success of Lowry, his impact on the franchise is undeniable.

Should he also retire his jersey?

“Hell yeah,” Lowry said. “Hell yeah!”

For Lowry, all the love and adoration he feels in Toronto was never something he expected. He was the cantankerous young man from North Philadelphia when he first arrived in Toronto and had no idea what awaited him later.

“When you win, you win big here,” Lowry said. “It’s not just this city, it’s a beautiful city, but you travel across (Canada). …You do it for a country. It’s a place I call home.”

When the time comes, Lowry’s numbers will rise and cement his legacy as one of the greatest to ever wear a Raptors jersey. And just as he helped turn Toronto into an NBA powerhouse, the city will celebrate the player who gave it his all.