Guess who debuted on the KIA MVP Ladder on NBA.com???

[MACK11]

For realz!!!!

http://www.nba.com/mvp-ladder/

Um... Landry Fields?

[JimiCliff]

The question is, what does Lowry think of debuting on the MVP ladder? Does he say cool, now let me see how I can use this accolade to leverage more money, or does he say I'm enjoying the most success I've ever had on a team that has given me full control over the offense, a starting role, a coach that I actually get along with, and as long as they don't low ball me, I'm here to stay?

Honestly though, I'd love to know what athletes' thought processes are in these situations. In terms of standard of living, there's no meaningful difference between, like, a $40 million dollar contract or a $50 million dollar contract; either way, you're living as well as any human could ever hope to be living. I'd say this:

I'm enjoying the most success I've ever had on a team that has given me full control over the offense, a starting role, a coach that I actually get along with...

has a much more real impact on his actual day-to-day emotional life. This is the thing that money literally cannot buy.

[JimiCliff]

Wow. When was the last time ANY Raptor got this sort of respect?

When they (as in the team) didn't play terrible, terrible basketball.

[Balls of Steel]

The question is, what does Lowry think of debuting on the MVP ladder? Does he say cool, now let me see how I can use this accolade to leverage more money, or does he say I'm enjoying the most success I've ever had on a team that has given me full control over the offense, a starting role, a coach that I actually get along with, and as long as they don't low ball me, I'm here to stay?

$10M /season.

[Samiam]

Do you think he'd net a 2014 lottery pick?

I don't know why fans think that a team that is lottery bound would trade for a player that will be UFA for their 2014 unless they are desperate like Cleveland? No logical sense. Most of the teams that are in that boat like NY, Brooklyn don't even have picks in 2014 to trade. OF the teams in the west that are fighting for a playoff spot (excluding the "locks" are:
Phoenix (Bledsoe/Dragic)
Dallas (Jose)
Memphis (Conley)
Houston (Lin/Beverley)
Denver (Lawson)
Minnesota (Rubio)

Of the above, unless an injury occurs, only Houston really needs an upgrade. Even if you could get a 1st rounder in 2014, with Lowry on that team, they probably make the playoffs so that picks becomes late teens or early 20's. Looking at the East:

NY (Felton) - no 2014
Brooklyn (Deron) - no 2014
Chicago (Rose out)*
Atlanta (Teague)
Washington (Wall)
Cleveland (Irving)
Detroit (Jennings)
Charlotte (Walker)
Boston (Rondo)

Who in this group thinks they are one PG away from beating Heat and Pacers? So no one in this group would pull that deal unless there is an injury and the GM panics to get into the playoffs (don't think Chicago cares after trading Deng)

So unless we MU is willing to take a 2015 or 2016 1st rounder and loses Bird rights to Lowry, that's probably the best option for him (unless of course there is a larger package involving younger controllable players). Getting a 2014 pick WITHOUT any lottery protection is dead.

[Pele]

Lowry's trade value keeps climbing.... the best of both worlds and a huge conundrum for MU! A fantastic place for a GM to be in, but definitely not an enviable one! lol

Do you think he'd net a 2014 lottery pick?

[Mediumcore]

The question is, what does Lowry think of debuting on the MVP ladder? Does he say cool, now let me see how I can use this accolade to leverage more money, or does he say I'm enjoying the most success I've ever had on a team that has given me full control over the offense, a starting role, a coach that I actually get along with, and as long as they don't low ball me, I'm here to stay?

[planetmars]

This does make sense.. many (including me) have stated many times that if you take Lowry off this team that they look like a team that is tanking hard. Lowry is the MVP of a division leading team.. that should definitely qualify him for the ladder!

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Wow. When was the last time ANY Raptor got this sort of respect?

Probably Bosh back in 06-07, when the Raptors last won the division unexpectedly. Remember VC smirking when Bosh was shooting free throws at home, with the fans chanting "MVP"? haha

[blackjitsu]

Wow. When was the last time ANY Raptor got this sort of respect?

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Lowry's trade value keeps climbing.... the best of both worlds and a huge conundrum for MU! A fantastic place for a GM to be in, but definitely not an enviable one! lol

[Blacklash2k4]

Wonder if DeRozan will start to think/act differently all of a sudden that many are considering this Kyle's team or Kyle and Demar's team. Its amazing how many broadcasters from other teams are referring to the Raps as Kyle's team. DeRozan is the only guy on the team with the potential to go all Rudy Gay on us, hopefully Kyle's emergence or the increased recognition doesn't cause it.

Just because people say this is Kyle's team doesn't mean that DeRozan isn't the best potential player for the Raptors. It just means that Kyle is the leader of this team which is true. If it wasn't for Lowry's leadership, this team would be at the very bottom right now...

[Blacklash2k4]

I really hope that they chant MVP for Lowry during Drake Night tomorrow. He deserves it!

[ddaylewis]

Hmmm...Chuck Hayes?

Sorry, did you mean "Chunky Hayes"?

[stretch]

Demar deserves his own Kia commercial after he was robbed of the slam dunk championship.