July 11, 2012 - 11:51 AM
TORONTO - Kyle Lowry is officially a Toronto Raptor.
The Raptors finalized a trade for the former Houston point guard Wednesday. The Rockets will receive forward Gary Frobes and a protected future first-round draft choice in return.
The deal was first reported last week, shortly after the Raptors missed out on signing Victoria's Steve Nash. The Canadian star went to the Los Angeles Lakers instead.
The 26-year-old Lowry averaged career bests of 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals during the 2011-12 season. He also contributed team highs of 6.6 assists and 32.1 minutes in 47 games, 38 of them starts.
As a starter, he increased his averages to 15.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 35.5 minutes.
The six-year NBA veteran has averaged 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.14 steals and 26.9 minutes in 359 career games. He has appeared in 13 post-season games, averaging 5.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 19.5 minutes.
The six-foot, 205-pound Philadelphia native was a first-round draft choice (24th overall) by Memphis in 2006. He was dealt to the Rockets on February 19, 2009.
Lowry played two collegiate seasons at Villanova University before declaring for the NBA Draft.
Forbes averaged 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 14.9 minutes in 48 games last season with the Raptors.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012