It was the only logical conclusion to a somewhat thorny issue, a resolution that allows the Toronto Raptors to take care of one of the most important players in franchise history while preserving their financial picture to create a seamless move into the longer-term future.
Coming to agreement with 33-year-old Kyle Lowry on a one-year deal for the 2020-21 NBA season that will pay him $31 million (all figures US) is a masterstroke of negotiations for president Masai Ujiri and general manager Bobby Webster.
It will ensure Lowry is happy — as happy as he can be — and takes away one of the few distractions that could have slowed the start to the season.