On Friday night, the San Antonio Spurs will head to Toronto to take on the Raptors. For Toronto's fans, all eyes will be on former Raptors star DeMar DeRozan. Traded to the Spurs in July, DeRozan has no hard feelings for his former team. Via Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports:
Still the metaphor king, DeRozan compares his breakup with the Raptors to getting dumped by a woman. Even if she doesn't love him back, doesn't mean he doesn't still love her. "She moved on and I moved on. Now we're both happy."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) February 21, 2019
DeRozan was drafted by the Raptors ninth overall in 2009 out of the University of Southern California. He spent the first nine years of his career with the Raptors. Last July, he was dealt to the Spurs, along with Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first round pick, in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.
At the time, DeRozan had three years and $83 million remaining on his contract. Leonard, on the other hand, was in the last year of his deal. It remains to be seen whether Toronto will be able to re-sign Leonard as a free agent this offseason.
The Raptors will likely honor DeRozan in some way prior to Friday's game. Per Doug Smith of The Star:
“DeMar is the greatest player that’s played for now for Toronto, at least for what he’s done here,” [Team president Masai] Ujiri said at the time [of the trade]. “I guarantee you he will be respected for that and he will be acknowledged for that in the biggest way that we can possibly do it as long as I’m here.”
Ujiri might not be wrong in calling DeRozan the best player in the young franchise's history. He made four All-Star teams during his time with Toronto and averaged 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.
But, as DeRozan noted, both teams should be happy with the deal. The Raptors, owners of the NBA's second-best record at 43-16, are only a game behind the first-seed Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference. This success would not have been possible without strong seasons from Leonard and Green.
Meanwhile, DeRozan has helped the Spurs to the seventh seed in the Western Conference. The 29-year-old shooting guard is enjoying one of his best all-around seasons, averaging 21.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while shooting 46.3%.
The Spurs and Raptors will face off at 7:00 P.M. EST on Friday night in Toronto.
Follow Us
Subscribe