Lowry wants a max deal to remain at Toronto Raptors

Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry believes he should be paid like a franchise player in the NBA.

However, the two-time All-Star has not been playing like a franchise player in recent seasons.

Lowry shot just 39 per cent during the 2015-16 NBA playoffs, and at 30 years old, he is unlikely to get any better.

“If you’re that franchise’s guy, and you’re the guy that they’ve been rolling with, and you’ve given that franchise everything you have, yeah, I think [contract negotiations] should be easy,” Lowry said via The Vertical.

The Raptors signed his running mate, DeMar DeRozan, to a five-year, $139million deal over the off-season.

“I think it should be a situation where a guy shouldn’t have to talk to another team,” Lowry said.

“DeMar didn’t have the chance to talk to another team. For me, I think that at 12:01am on July 1 – something should be close. If not, I’m open to seeing what else is out there.”