ESPN's Zach Lowe has been very transparent over the years with his annual NBA awards ballot. Lowe famously stresses over his choices and takes the process very seriously. But this season, Lowe is stepping back from voting on NBA awards.

“I surrendered mine, just to take a break,” Lowe said on his Lowe Post podcast. “I was like, ‘I’m gonna take a break from having a ballot and all the noise.’ Not for All-Star necessarily, but the determination of some bonuses and super maxes. I was like, ‘I’m starting to feel a little icky.’ I’m out of the ballots for a year.”

NBA players have ability to have their contracts impacted by making winning MVP, winning Defensive Player of the Year or making All-NBA. Some players can see their salary increase from 25% of the cap to 30% of the cap, or from 30% of the cap to 35% of the cap based on achievements.

Contracts also regularly include incentives based on various awards and honors. The NBA media, of which Lowe is a part, is part of the process of voting on awards and All-Star selections.