NBA News August 28: Wemby show, Raptors to retire Lowry’s no. 7

Miami continues to add pieces to the roster built around Giannis Antetokounmpo, with Nick Richards the latest addition. Meanwhile, a good portion of the NBA has temporarily spread around the world: Victor Wembanyama, Rui Hachimura and Dennis Schröder dominated with their respective national teams in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. And in Toronto, there’s news that will make plenty of fans nostalgic: Kyle Lowry’s No. 7 will officially be raised to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena.

Miami adds Nick Richards to Giannis’ roster

The Heat filled another spot on the roster by signing Nick Richards to a one-year contract. The 28-year-old center is coming off a season split between Phoenix and Chicago, averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 48 games.

Obviously, this isn’t the signing that changes the balance of power in the Eastern Conference, especially after a summer in which Miami added Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson. Richards, however, can be one of those players who becomes extremely useful over an 82-game Regular Season: size, rebounding and center minutes when Bam Adebayo needs a rest.

Miami now has 14 players on standard contracts and continues to focus primarily on depth. The stars are already there; now Erik Spoelstra needs enough options so he isn’t forced to overwork the same players every night.

Wembanyama immediately takes over for France

If anyone still had doubts about who has become the face of France, Victor Wembanyama wasted little time reminding them.

In his first official game as captain of the national team, the Spurs phenom finished with 22 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 60% from the field in a convincing 92-67 win over Slovenia. All of this came in just 21 minutes. France moved to 6-1 and remains atop its group in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.

Slovenia was without Luka Doncic, but Wemby’s performance remains another intriguing sign. At 22 years old, he has already been handed the captain’s armband, and he immediately responded by doing what we now expect virtually every time he steps on the court.

And there were 15,831 people at Bercy, the third-highest attendance ever for a European World Cup qualifying game. Not exactly an ordinary night.

Hachimura almost perfect with Japan

Wemby wasn’t the only one. Rui Hachimura also decided to have plenty of fun in a Japan jersey.

In a 106-78 win over Saudi Arabia, Hachimura scored 29 points on 11-of-14 shooting, while adding 4 rebounds, 2 steals and a block. It was an almost flawless offensive performance as he led Japan to a comfortable victory.

And this is exactly the kind of game Hachimura can use to enter the new NBA season already in rhythm. When he finds his confidence and can attack without too much hesitation, his combination of physicality and scoring ability remains extremely difficult to contain.

Schroder continues to run the show for Germany

By now, seeing Dennis Schröder starring for Germany should no longer surprise anyone.

The German point guard led the world champions to a 99-83 win over the Netherlands, putting up 23 points and 6 assists while shooting 7-of-11 from the field. Another game in which Schröder immediately took control of the team and dictated the pace.

The FIBA version of Schröder has almost become a character of its own. With Germany, he has responsibility, the ball in his hands and complete freedom to control possessions, and over the years he has built a relationship with the national team that now goes far beyond simple statistics.

Wembanyama, Hachimura and Schröder have therefore turned the first day of this qualifying window into a small NBA showcase around the world.

Toronto to retire Kyle Lowry’s no. 7

We’ll close with a completely different story, but probably the best news of the day.

The Toronto Raptors announced that Kyle Lowry’s No. 7 will officially be retired on January 10, 2027, following the home game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Lowry will become just the second player in franchise history to receive the honor, after Vince Carter and his No. 15.

It’s difficult to find someone more deserving.

I’ve been waiting for this moment for years. I’ve always said that Toronto is my home and that I would finish my career as a Raptor. Seeing my No. 7 up there, in that arena, will mean everything to me. We built something special here: me, my teammates, the franchise, the city, the fans and all of Canada. We became champions together, and being able to share this night with all of them and with my family will mean so much to me

Kyle Lowry

Lowry spent nine seasons in Toronto, was selected to six All-Star Games as a Raptor and was one of the defining figures of the team that in 2019 won the franchise’s first NBA championship. To this day, he remains Toronto’s all-time leader in assists, steals and 3-pointers made.

He wasn’t the best player on that team – that was Kawhi Leonard – but it’s hard to think of anyone who represents the most successful era in Raptors history more than Lowry. It’s no coincidence that in Toronto, they call him GROAT, Greatest Raptor of All Time.

On January 10, his No. 7 will finally join Vince Carter’s No. 15 in the rafters. And that’s where it will stay.

NBA News by Dunkest returns tomorrow with all the latest news from around the NBA.