Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura told the truth about the motivation to win the Emirates NBA Cup during a conversation with reporters on Tuesday.

“We just want money,” forward Rui Hachimura said Thursday, according to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times. “I think that’s the only thing…last year we were very motivated. We have the big prize.”

Hachimura and the rest of the Lakers who won the tournament in the 2023 season won a superb $500,000 last year. Now called the NBA Cup, the players on the winning team will see their market share slightly increased. $514,970 each.

While the average annual salary of $11,185,262 and the median salary of $5,780,074.50 both crush that figure, players are unlikely to mind making an extra half a million. That’s still a ton of extra money for anyone.

“I’m sure the richest man in the world would be happy to receive $500,000,” said Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton, owner of a $93 million contractsaid last season, by Tim Reynolds from the Associated Press. “We are all excited about this opportunity to get additional money.”

Of course, NBA players minimum wage scale would see a massive percentage increase in their salary if they were part of the Cup winning team. NBA teams that lose in the quarterfinals still receive $51,497 per player, while semifinal losers reach six figures ($102,994). Players on the losing team in the NBA Cup Finals take home $205,988.

As for the Lakers, they begin their NBA Cup title defense on Friday with an away game against the San Antonio Spurs. The Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma Thunder are also in their group.