The Toronto Raptors have retained a key player in their 2018-2019 title run for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, five-time All-Star guard Kyle Lowry has been signed to a one-year, $31 million dollar extension that will keep him off the free agency market this coming summer.
While it is just a one-year extension, it accounts for two years and $64 million on the books. Keep in mind this includes the $33.3 million left on his contract that will expire following the upcoming season.
Indeed, the report came from the best in the business; Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Breaking: Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors have agreed on a one-year, $31M contract extension that takes the five-time All-Star guard out of July’s free agency market, agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. https://t.co/nkhme9AHes
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 7, 2019
A nice quote comes from Lowry’s agency, who praises Toronto for making the 33-year old Lowry a priority in the now.
“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.”
While it’s hard to believe – Lowry is entering his 15th NBA season. Equally important, he’s part of a Raptors’ core that will look to remain competitive in the east in the wake of losing Kawhi Leonard to free agency this past summer.
Notably, Lowry is still eligible to be traded as part of this new contract. In addition, check out this cool pull from ESPN. Now, Lowry is part of the 30-30 club in NBA circles.
Lowry will now join a 30-30 club of elite point guards who 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.
Lowry came over to the Raptors in 2012 and has been an integral part of what has helped them sustain success. Aside from the five All-Star appearances, he’s averaged 17.4 points per game during his Toronto tenure.
Finally, it’s nice to see with all the player movement in the NBA; Toronto decided to pay up and keep one of their now familiar popular stars. It’s reasonable to expect that Lowry earns his contract by being an effective player over the course of the next two seasons.
