Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry will receive a $500,000 incentive after helping the team reach the NBA Finals.
According to The Athletic's Blake Murphy, the incentive was part of Lowry's contract but was dubbed as ‘unlikely.' Apparently, the word not only describes the management's belief on this team prior to this season but also some type of contract stipulation.
By making the NBA Finals, Lowry receives a $500,000 “unlikely incentive” in his contract. That will cost the Raptors an extra $1.25 million in luxury tax payment as well, and it will also change that incentive to “likely” in his contract for next year, meaning his cap number will be larger.
Lowry has been fairly underwhelming during the first two rounds of the playoffs. However, he took his game to the next level in the conference finals, providing much-needed help to superstar teammate Kawhi Leonard. The All-Star guard finally had the confidence to step up during crucial situations, something that has been missing from him over the past couple of years.
The Raptors have been one of the best teams in the East for the last three seasons. But Lowry and then-teammate DeMar DeRozan wasn't able to lead them past the conference finals. They usually fall apart when the team needs them the most, which is one of the reasons why Toronto has been labeled as ‘just a regular season team.'
But Lowry's job isn't done. He will be tasked to guard one of the greatest point guards in the history of the league, as the Raptors face Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. If Kyle can raise his game to a whole new level, that will give Toronto a better chance of winning the series.
It will also earn him a huge amount of respect from fans.
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