TORONTO - It didnt take long for the Raptors to address their top priority of the summer. Less than 48 hours after the July 1 free agency window opened, the Raptors reached an agreement with their star point guard Kyle Lowry, bringing him back to Toronto for four more years at a reported $48 million, according to several outlets and confirmed by Lowry himself over Twitter. "Toronto will be my home city," the 28-year-old tweeted Wednesday evening, along with a picture of himself decked out in retro Raptors gear. The deal has an early termination option in the final year, allowing Lowry to become an unrestricted free agent after the third season if he chooses. Although the contract has been agreed to in principle, it cant be signed or made official until the NBAs moratorium period is lifted on July 10. Lowry spent the day mulling over Torontos offer and weighing his options with his family and agent after meeting with Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri and head coach Dwane Casey Tuesday afternoon in his hometown of Philadelphia. The Raptors point guard was visited by members of the Rockets front office, also receiving interest from the Heat and Mavericks. Ultimately, he opted to return to the team he helped lead to a division title, at a significant pay raise from what he was making when he enjoyed a career season in 2013-14. Earning $6.2 million last year, Lowry registered career-highs of 17.9 points, 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds while narrowly missing out on what would have been his first all-star selection during a breakout campaign with the Raptors. Entering his prime, the eight-year vet will be the eighth highest paid point guard in the league next season after finishing third in Win Shares among players at his position last year. His new contract will be more than twice the size of his previous one, a four-year, $23.5 million deal signed in 2010. Lowry has earned a total of $28.8 million over the first eight years of his career. Although a deserved raise played a role in his decision to re-sign - the Raptors had the advantage of being able to pay him more than any other team - Lowry became entrenched as a leader with the team both on the court and in the locker room, endearing himself to the city with his hard play. "At the end of the day its still a business and you have to be a businessman for the situation that youre in," he had said the afternoon after his team was eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs. "But I am very happy. This has been one of the best seasons Ive had, through and through. Best coaches, teammates, [front office]. Its been great. I am happy. Without a doubt I can say Im happy." "I love this place," he continued. "I love the situation. Its simple as that." For that very reason his return was hardly in doubt, though Raptors fans are generally conditioned to hope for the best and fear for the worst. The Raptors front office, coaching staff and even Lowrys teammates remained confident a deal would get done throughout the process but he did have other viable options to consider, given his desire to compete for a championship and his status as this summers most coveted point guard. Bringing him back, amid the long-time perception that players dont want to be in Toronto, is a major coup for a Raptors franchise that is determined to change their culture under the leadership of Ujiri and MLSE boss Tim Leiweke. The Raptors acquired Lowry in a trade from Houston during the summer of 2012 after he fell out of favour with Rockets coach Kevin McHale. Despite a turbulent first season in Toronto, one that saw him battle injury and feud with Coach Casey, Lowry came to training camp in the best shape of his playing career and took his game to a new level after a pre-season meeting with Ujiri sparked his competitive nature. With the Raptors contemplating a rebuild following the December trade of Rudy Gay, Lowrys best friend, Ujiri nearly moved the point guard in a deal that would have sent him to New York. Fuelled by Lowrys breakout, the resurgent Raptors continued to win and Ujiri slowly became a believer. Last season, Ujiris first at the helm of the Raptors, was always supposed to be a "show me" year for Lowry. Ujiri had always promised to be fair to Lowry and maintained he would be given the platform to sink or swim. Like any other investment, Lowry is a calculated risk but the Raptors are betting the 2013-14 version will be more of the norm than an anomaly going forward. Prioritizing continuity this offseason, Ujiri can now shift his focus to re-signing restricted free agents Patrick Patterson and Greivis Vasquez, both of whom should attract varying degrees of interest on the open market. If retained, the Raptors wont have much more than their mid-level exception to spend and could flirt with the luxury tax this coming season. Nike Air Max 90 dame hvid . -- The Saginaw Spirit remembered late player Terry Trafford on Saturday night in their first home game since he was found dead in a parked car. Nike Air Max 90 dame grå . - Mike Conleys perfect start sent the Memphis Grizzlies to an easy victory. http://www.shopmax90dk.net/nike-air-max/air-max-90-dame.html . Johnson was the CFLs most valuable defensive player back in 2011 when he recorded eight interceptions, 55 tackles and two defensive touchdowns with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31 danmark . -- Clippers star Blake Griffin fired off some harsh words for the Golden State Warriors after being ejected on a Christmas night turned spirited. Nike Air Max 90 dame danmark . Zanetti will retire after 19 seasons at Inter, and the stadium was sold out as fans packed in to bid farewell to their 40-year-old captain. Lazio threatened to spoil the party when Giuseppe Biava scored the opening goal inside two minutes to stun San Siro. ROME -- Lazio moved one point clear at the top of Serie A with a 0-0 draw at Napoli and AC Milan stayed within one point of the lead with another scoreless draw at Fiorentina on Saturday. Earlier, Inter Milan beat Cagliari 2-1 for just its third win of the Italian season, with second-half goals from Thiago Motta and Coutinho. The victory at the San Siro lifted the Nerazzurri three points clear of the relegation zone, with a game in hand. Still, Inter is 11 points behind Lazio, which has 22. Milan and Udinese are next with 21 each and Juventus is fourth with 19. Udinese will have a chance to go top again when it visits Parma on Sunday, while Juventus can draw level with Lazio when it hosts Palermo. Lazio was missing its injured leading scorer Miroslav Klose. Napoli created more chances but couldnt beat Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti, who made outstanding saves. "We showed a lot of character," said Lazio coach Edy Reja. "The first half we played well, then in the second Napoli put us in danger, especially at the end, but Marchetti was extraordinary. Not allowing a goal at Napoli is a good sign." Napoli has a decisive match with Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Milan hosts European champion Barcelona a day later. Milan had won five straight and deserved to win another, as the Rossoneri had a goal from Clarence Seedorf waved off for a questionable offside call in the 19th minute. Milan striker Alexandre Pato returned from a two-month injury layoff and hit the post in the 77th, with Alberto Aquilani and Antonio Nocerino also producing chances for the visitors. "The goal was legitimate," Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said. "Our five-match winning streak has been snapped but the important thing was we performed well.dddddddddddd" Fiorentina was without its standout playmaker Stevan Jovetic and Delio Rossi made his debut as the Viola manager after replacing Sinisa Mihajlovic. At the San Siro, Inter hit the crossbar twice before taking the lead in the 54th following a free kick from Ricardo Alvarez. Giampaolo Pazzini flicked the ball on to Thiago Motta, whose goal from the edge of the box was allowed despite appearing offside. Coutinho was a last-minute starter after usual playmaker Wesley Sneijder reported a muscle problem during the warmup, and the Brazilian took full advantage when he finished off a swift counterattack with a low shot from the edge of the area in the 60th. Forward Joaquin Larrivey then pulled one back for Cagliari in the 88th by redirecting a pass from the centre of the area, as the Sardinian club showed resilience in its first match under new manager Davide Ballardini. Cagliari goalkeeper Michael Agazzi deflected shots from Pazzini and Mauro Zarate off the crossbar in the 21st and 24th, and Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso sent a dangerous header high in the 43rd as the hosts dominated the first half. "It was very important after the break to get these three points at home," said Thiago Motta, who was born in Brazil but represents Italy. "We were able to have a decent match against a team thats not easy to play against. Weve gone through some tough times and now weve got to continue like this." On Tuesday, Inter visits Trabzonspor in the Champions League, seeking revenge against the Turkish squad that handed the Nerazzurri a humiliating home defeat in its debut in the top European competition in September. cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '
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