DeRozan’s Heartfelt Reaction to Leaving the Raptors!
In 2018, DeMar DeRozan was traded from the Toronto Raptors to the San Antonio Spurs, with Kawhi Leonard moving to the Raptors. This trade led to the Raptors’ 2019 championship win. Recently, DeRozan shared his emotions about the trade and its impact on him.
DeRozan spent almost a decade with the Raptors, developing a strong bond with Kyle Lowry. Despite their efforts, the team struggled to overcome LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs. The trade felt like a betrayal to DeRozan, especially since LeBron had left the Eastern Conference.
“It messed me up because we couldn’t beat one person. We couldn’t beat LeBron. The year LeBron got traded, LeBron left. I was more so mad because I was like ‘give it one more shot.’ In my mind that’s why I was like ‘we got this now.’ So when I got traded that’s what made it hurt even more. I couldn’t watch, I’m not gonna lie,” DeRozan shared on the 25 10 Show.
DeRozan’s sense of hurt and betrayal was so deep that he couldn’t bear to watch his friend Kyle Lowry win the title. While he acknowledged that trading for Kawhi Leonard was the right move for the Raptors, it remains a painful chapter for him.
DeRozan’s experience highlights the harsh realities of the NBA. The Raptors’ championship win came at the cost of DeRozan’s loyalty and dedication to the team. Despite this, DeRozan remains one of the most notable players in Raptors history.
Bulls Likely to Re-Sign DeRozan
The Chicago Bulls are expected to re-sign DeMar DeRozan to a multi-year deal, as reported by The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry. The Bulls are looking at a potential two-year contract, while DeRozan’s camp seeks longer-term security. The deal could be worth up to $40 million over two years, possibly including a player option.
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“The Bulls would be happy to re-sign DeRozan on a two-year deal. DeRozan’s side obviously would covet more security. The Bulls have a habit of liberally latching player options into contracts so that carrot could come into play with DeRozan’s deal as well,” stated Mayberry.
DeRozan was the Bulls’ most consistent player last season, averaging 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game on 48.0% shooting. Despite his strong performance alongside Zach LaVine, the Bulls finished 9th in the East with a 39-43 record, struggling without Lonzo Ball’s efficient offense.
The Bulls face pressure to improve their roster to become playoff contenders. Adding supporting talent and enhancing their bench strength will be crucial for their success in the upcoming seasons.
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