“I am Toronto” were the words of Toronto Raptors swingman DeMar DeRozan, who put all the offseason theories of potential landing cities to rest with a massive five-year, $139 million deal earlier in July.

With rumors surrounding of potentially joining his hometown Los Angeles Lakers before he signed the extension, the Compton native was assertive and did not even test the free agency market.

Apparently so much was made of the unlikely move, that kids showed up at his home with photoshopped pictures of him in a Lakers uniform, according to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun.

DeMar DeRozan Lakers
YouTube/NBA and LA Lakers Daily News

Besides the tiny possibility that his affinity for his hometown would get the edge, it looks like a $27.8 million per year contract, a winning team and an adorable friendship with running mate Kyle Lowry seemed like plenty of reasons for DeMar DeRozan to stay in Canada. Sorry kids.