39-year-old Lowry will start his 20th season in his new season and play for the 76ers

On July 10, 39-year-old Kyle Lowry is about to usher in his 20th season of his career. The experienced veteran chose to renew his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and become the 13th player in NBA history to have a career of 20 seasons. This milestone achievement not only demonstrates Lowry's extraordinary professionalism and lasting competitiveness, but also sets an example for young players.

Lowry's career began in 2006 when he was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 24th pick in the first round. Since then, the defender, who is only 1.83 meters tall, has begun his legendary journey in the NBA. After spending three seasons with the Grizzlies, he played for teams such as the Rockets, Raptors, and Heat, gradually growing into one of the most influential point guards in the league. In 2019, as a core member of the Toronto Raptors, he helped the team win the first championship in team history, which was also the highest brightest moment of his career.

In the 2023-24 season, Lowry played 37 games for the Heat, averaging 8.2 points, 4.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. Although the data is not dazzling, his leadership on the court and performance at critical moments still bring great value to the team. In the middle of the season, he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets, and then reached a buyout agreement with the team, and finally chose to join his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers. This decision allowed Lowry to return to where his dream began in his twilight years of his career and play for his hometown team.

Lowry's ability to compete for 20 seasons is closely related to his outstanding professional attitude and strict self-management. As a guard who is not tall, he makes up for his physical condition by constantly improving his technical ability and basketball IQ. His three-point shooting, organizational ability and defensive awareness have been improving as he grows older. More importantly, Lowry is known for his tenacious game style, and this "bulldog"-like spirit has won him widespread respect in the league.

In NBA history, there are only a handful of players who have been able to compete in 20 seasons. Before Lowry, only 12 players achieved this achievement, including legendary stars such as Jabbar, Kobe, Nowitzki, Garnett, etc. These players are Hall of Fame-level superstars without exception, and Lowry's ability to join this ranks fully proves his greatness. It is particularly worth mentioning that Lowry is the shortest among these 13 players, which further highlights the difficulty of his achievement.

For the Sixers, signing Lowry is a very strategic operation. Although he is 39 years old, Lowry is still able to bring valuable leadership and playoff experience to the team. Beside Embiid and Maxi, two core players, Lowry can play the role of locker room leader and on-field commander. His organizational ability will effectively reduce Maxi's pressure to hold the ball, and his big heart performance at critical moments is something the team urgently needs in the playoffs.

From the perspective of technical characteristics, Lowry's three-point shooting ability (career three-point shooting percentage 36.8%) perfectly matches the tactical system of the 76ers. When Embiid encounters double-teams, Lowry's stable outside firepower will provide the team with an important scoring choice. In addition, his defensive awareness and experience can also make up for the decline in athletic ability caused by age to a certain extent. Although it may not be able to lock the opponent's defender like he was in his peak period, his prediction and position can still cause trouble for the opponent.

Lowry's total career statistics are equally impressive. As of the 2024-25 season, his total score exceeded 15,000 points, assisted more than 6,000 and steals more than 1,400. These data are among the top in NBA history. If he can stay healthy in the new season, he is expected to continue to climb in multiple statistics. More importantly, as a team-first player, Lowry never aims at personal data, which is an important reason why he can maintain a high level for a long time.

Lowry's existence is an invisible asset for young players of the Sixers. Defenders like Maxie and Springer can learn from the veteran how to read the game, control the pace, and stay calm at critical moments. Lowry coached young players such as VanVleet during his time in the Raptors, and this kind of pass-through and helping are often more valuable than on the court. 76ers head coach Nass worked with Lowry in the Raptors, and the tacit understanding between the two will also help Lowry quickly integrate into the team system.

Looking ahead to the new season, Lowry's role may be adjusted. Considering age factors, his playing time may be controlled at about 20 minutes, mainly taking on the organizational tasks of the second team and stabilizing the morale of the military at critical moments. But no matter how he adjusts, his understanding and influence of the game will not diminish. In the playoffs, his experience may become an important bargaining factor for the 76ers to compete for the championship.

Lowry's 20-season achievements reflect the trend of the career extension of modern NBA players. With the development of sports medicine, training methods and nutrition, the sports lifespan of players is constantly extending. The best proof is that veterans such as James and Paul still play an important role in the league. Lowry's case shows that as long as you maintain enough professional attitude and adaptability, players can play in high-level leagues for a longer time.

For Lowry personally, the 20th season is both a milestone and a new starting point. Although he has won the championship and multiple All-Star honors, he is still eager to bring more victories to his hometown team. In an interview, Lowry said: "I still love the game and can still contribute my strength. Returning to Philadelphia makes me special, and I hope to help this team achieve its goals. "This spirit of never giving up is the core reason why he can stand in the NBA for a long time.

As the new season approaches, all basketball fans are looking forward to the veteran's performance. Regardless of the final result, Kyle Lowry has left an indelible mark in NBA history with his persistence and dedication over 19 seasons.. The 20th season will be a continuation of his legendary career and an incentive for all professional athletes: age is just a number, and true greatness comes from unremitting pursuit and love.