Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Raptors guard Lowry gets 1-year, $31M extension

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Monday, 07 October 2019 04:42

Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors have agreed on a one-year, $31 million contract extension that takes the five-time All-Star guard out of July's free-agent market, agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports told ESPN.

The extension guarantees Lowry two years and $64 million on the books -- including the $33.3 million left on his expiring contract this season.

Toronto president Masai Ujiri, general manager Bobby Webster and Lowry's camp had been motivated to hammer out an extension for months. Over the weekend, the sides closed on a deal that delivers the Raptors options as they evaluate how they'll construct a post-championship roster -- and delivers Lowry the opportunity to extend his stay with a franchise with which he's wanted to complete his career.

"We are so appreciative of how Masai and Bobby handled every aspect of this negotiation," Bartelstein told ESPN. "Once again, they displayed how they look after their players in a first-class manner, especially someone like Kyle who they recognize has such a legacy with the franchise."

Lowry had not been enthusiastic about entering the free-agent market as a 34-year-old in July. Now he gets a deal that delivers him into some historical context: He becomes the first player older than 33 to get an extension that includes a first-year salary-cap hit north of $30 million.

Lowry has earned $157 million in a career that's starting its 15th season, including his eighth as the longest-tenured active member of the Raptors.

Despite the loss of NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard in free agency, the Raptors return a core that is still expected to compete for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto still has flexibility to create a maximum salary-cap slot for 2020-21 free agency. Toronto has two key frontcourt players -- Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol -- on expiring contracts this season. If Toronto management doesn't love its team's chances of making a deep run in the Eastern Conference playoffs, it will have the option of testing Ibaka's and Gasol's value on the trade market. The NBA's Most Improved Player, forward Pascal Siakam, is negotiating a possible rookie extension now. He is expected to be the offensive focal point of the post- Leonard Raptors.

Lowry's extension tightens the Raptors projected salary-cap space in 2020-21, lowering it from $60 million to $26 million. Lowry is still eligible to be traded during the 2019-20 season.

Lowry joined the Raptors via trade in 2012, and has been integral part of its unprecedented success -- including five straight All-Star appearances. In the 2020-21 season, Lowry will now join a 30-30 club of elite point guards that are making over $30 million annually after the age of 30 -- including Russell Westbrook, Kemba Walker, John Wall, Steph Curry, Chris Paul and Mike Conley Jr.

ESPN front-office insider Bobby Marks contributed to this report.

Read 390 times

Soccer

Ancelotti: Madrid slowly getting 'back to our best'

Ancelotti: Madrid slowly getting 'back to our best'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsReal Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his team are improving "litt...

Mbappé, Vini score as Madrid win with late flurry

Mbappé, Vini score as Madrid win with late flurry

Vinícius Júnior came off the bench to score once and set up another goal to steer champions Real Mad...

Martino blames ref as Miami suffers Shield setback

Martino blames ref as Miami suffers Shield setback

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino claimed the match aga...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

McCoy, longtime radio voice of Suns, dies at 91

McCoy, longtime radio voice of Suns, dies at 91

EmailPrintPHOENIX -- Al McCoy, who was the radio voice of the Phoenix Suns for more than a half-cent...

Sources: Griffin, 21, mulls NBA future after buyout

Sources: Griffin, 21, mulls NBA future after buyout

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Houston Rockets reached terms on a buyout with forward AJ Griff...

Baseball

Lindor to miss rest of series; earliest return Tues.

Lindor to miss rest of series; earliest return Tues.

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Francisco Lindor wasn't in the New York Mets' lineup fo...

Rangers scratch Scherzer, give Dunning the start

Rangers scratch Scherzer, give Dunning the start

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsARLINGTON, Texas -- Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer h...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated