Yes, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan remain exceptionally close friends, maintaining a bond they describe as a lifelong brotherhood that transcends the game of basketball.
Despite playing for different NBA franchises for several years, their connection has only deepened through consistent communication, mental health support, and shared family values.
From their iconic “We The North” era in Toronto to their present-day roles on separate teams, they prioritize their relationship over professional rivalries.
Whether through daily FaceTimes between their children or their shared dream of retiring together as Raptors, their friendship stands as a testament to genuine human connection in professional sports.
How the Lowry and DeRozan Friendship Started (2012-2013)
The legendary bond between these two stars did not begin with an immediate spark; in fact, it started with significant friction and a lack of communication that made a future brotherhood seem impossible.
When Kyle Lowry was first traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2012, he arrived with what he later admitted was a “bad attitude,” viewing the city as merely a temporary stop in his career.
At the same time, DeMar DeRozan was already established as the homegrown centerpiece of the franchise, creating a natural professional tension.
The Silent Season: Overcoming Initial Distrust
During their first full season together in 2012-2013, the two guards barely spoke to one another outside of mandatory team tasks.
Despite having adjacent lockers in the dressing room, they did not share phone numbers or follow each other on social media platforms.
DeRozan eventually admitted in a media feature that he “couldn’t stand” Lowry during those early months, as their personalities and career outlooks were completely misaligned at the time.
Building the Foundation of Professional Respect
The transition from icy silence to a functional partnership occurred organically as they began to recognize each other’s competitive drive on the court.
While Lowry was vocal and emotionally expressive, DeRozan provided a quiet, introverted balance that eventually allowed them to stabilize the team’s backcourt.
This period of professional adjustment was necessary to clear the path for the deep personal connection that would define the next decade of their lives.
Are Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan Still Friends?
The short answer is an emphatic yes; their friendship has evolved into a familial tie that survives the constant movement of the NBA landscape.
Even as they have moved through various teams—with DeRozan landing in San Antonio, Chicago, and Sacramento, and Lowry moving to Miami, Philadelphia, and briefly Charlotte—their daily interactions remain a constant.
They continue to describe their relationship as something that “outlasts team rosters” and professional contracts.
The 2024 Trade and Mental Health Support
The depth of their current friendship was most recently evidenced in early 2024 when Lowry was abruptly traded to the Charlotte Hornets.
DeRozan was the first person Lowry called, and DeRozan’s response focused entirely on his friend’s mental well-being rather than basketball logistics.
DeRozan publicly stated that during such difficult career moments, “basketball kind of goes out the window,” emphasizing that his only priority was checking on Lowry as a brother.
Joint Offseason Training and Media Reunions
The pair continues to spend their summers together, often sharing images and videos of their joint offseason workouts with fans.
Their ongoing chemistry was recently highlighted during a feature episode of Open Gym, where they sat down together to look back fondly at their time in Toronto.
During this reunion, they joked about their rocky start and voiced a collective desire to eventually sign a one-day contract so they can retire as teammates in a Raptors jersey.
Maintaining Rituals Across Different Cities
Even when they are forced to compete against each other as opponents, they refuse to let the game interfere with their personal traditions.
They maintain a strict pregame superstition of “knocking on wood” together before the opening tip-off whenever their respective teams square off.
This ritual has been kept alive throughout their entire post-Toronto careers, serving as a public signal that their bond remains unbroken regardless of the jersey they wear.
The Emotional 2018 Split and Its Lasting Impact
The trade that sent DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs in July 2018 for Kawhi Leonard is often cited as one of the most heartbreaking moments in modern sports history.
It did not just signal the end of an era for the Raptors franchise; it physically separated two men who had become inseparable.
The emotional fallout of this decision resonated deeply with both players and the entire Toronto community, highlighting the rare human element in a business often defined by cold transactions.
The Heartbreaking 2:30 AM Call
When DeRozan first received news of the trade, his immediate instinct was to reach out to Lowry in the middle of the night. Lowry later recalled sitting on the edge of his bathtub at 2:30 AM, completely speechless and deeply upset upon hearing the news.
The pain stemmed from the sense of betrayal DeRozan felt toward the franchise he had helped build, and Lowry shared in that grief as he realized his best friend was being forced to leave.
The Legacy of the “Invisible Handshake”
In the season following the trade, Lowry went viral for a poignant tribute to his departed friend during pregame introductions.
He continued to perform their elaborate, multi-step handshake routine by himself on the court, reaching out to an empty space where DeRozan used to stand.
When asked about the gesture, Lowry explained that he did it because DeRozan “is always going to be my best friend,” regardless of physical distance.
A Brotherhood That Transcends Professional Basketball
What makes the Lowry and DeRozan story so unique is how their relationship moved beyond the locker room to encompass their entire families.
They have reached a stage where they no longer use the word “friend” to describe one another, preferring the term “family” instead.
This evolution has created a support system that provides stability for both men as they navigate the pressures of being elite professional athletes in different markets.
The Next Generation: Karter and Diar
The friendship has successfully passed down to their children, who effectively grew up together in Toronto. Lowry’s son, Karter, and DeRozan’s daughter, Diar, became best friends at a young age, mirroring the bond of their fathers.
To maintain this connection, Lowry and DeRozan utilize daily FaceTimes specifically so their kids can hang out digitally and stay involved in each other’s lives across the miles.
Shared Values and Personal Growth
Their contrasting personalities—Lowry’s vocal nature and DeRozan’s quiet introversion—have allowed them to grow as individuals.
They have supported each other through personal milestones and professional hurdles, extending their connection to 2016 when they won an Olympic Gold Medal together for Team USA in Rio.
As Lowry famously stated, “It’s beyond friendship… Family, that’s the only other word for DeMar”.
What Is the Future for Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan?
As both players enter the twilight of their illustrious careers, their focus has shifted toward how they can eventually close the chapter on their professional lives together.
They are no longer just teammates from the past; they are architects of a shared future that includes the city where their bond was forged. The narrative of their friendship continues to be a point of inspiration for fans who value loyalty in an era of frequent player movement.
The One-Day Contract Dream
Both Lowry and DeRozan have been vocal about their desire to return to the Toronto Raptors for a final, symbolic gesture.
They have shared a goal of signing a one-day contract with the organization so they can officially retire together as members of the team they helped define during the “We The North” era.
This would provide a sense of closure for a fanbase that still views them as the heart and soul of the franchise.
The “Porch Goal” and Life After Basketball
Beyond the arena, the two often joke about their long-term retirement plans, which involve much slower-paced activities than professional basketball. Lowry has fondly described a future where the two are “hanging out on the porch, drinking lemonade together”.
This “porch goal” represents the ultimate end-game for their brotherhood—a life where the game of basketball is finally over, but the friendship remains as strong as ever.
Timeline of the Lowry-DeRozan Brotherhood
| Year | Milestone | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Arrival | Lowry is traded to Toronto; he and DeRozan barely speak for a year. |
| 2014-2018 | The Peak Era | The duo becomes the face of “We The North” and inseparable best friends. |
| 2016 | Olympic Gold | They win gold together in Rio, cementing their bond on the world stage. |
| 2018 | The Split | DeRozan is traded to San Antonio, leading to the “invisible handshake”. |
| 2024 | The Trade Check-in | DeRozan prioritizes Lowry’s mental health after Lowry is traded to Charlotte. |
| Future | The Retirement | A shared goal to retire as Raptors and spend life on the porch together. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan still talking?
Yes, they remain in constant contact, often through daily FaceTimes and regular phone calls to check on each other’s well-being and their families.
Did they get along when they first met?
No. They spent their first season in Toronto barely speaking and did not even have each other’s phone numbers.
Do they still train together?
Yes, they continue to share joint workouts during the NBA offseason and often post about these sessions on social media.
Will they retire together?
Both players have expressed a strong desire to sign one-day contracts with the Toronto Raptors so they can retire with the franchise together.
How do they interact when playing against each other?
They maintain a pregame ritual of “knocking on wood” together on the court before the game begins, a tradition they have kept for years.
