Raptors news: DeMar DeRozan opens up about watching Toronto celebrate NBA championship

Spurs swingman DeMar DeRozan admits there is some sad feeling seeing the Raptors win the NBA title without him, but he remains happy for the team.

San Antonio Spurs swingman DeMar DeRozan admits there is some sad feeling seeing the Toronto Raptors win the NBA title without him, but he remains happy for the team and what they have accomplished.

“We all human. We all feel some type of way, when you see a previous situation you were part of accomplish something great that you were after when you were there, of course,” DeRozan said, per Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio-Express News. “But, at the same time, the relationship I have with a lot of those guys, I was happy. Good for them. Happy for them. I spent a lot of time with a few of them guys this offseason. It was good for them.

“I spent nine years of my basketball career there. Even at times when I see pictures seeing my jersey on the crowd, you are there somehow. You got to be happy with that.”

DeRozan spent the first nine years of his career with the Raptors before being traded to the Spurs last summer. Toronto got Kawhi Leonard in return, and the rest is literally history.

Leonard led the Raptors to their first-ever championship, though the celebration was brief as Kawhi left the team this offseason and returned home on a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.

There is no doubt that DeRozan gave everything that he could for the Raptors during his time there. It was just unfortunate that he had to face LeBron James and the star-studded Cleveland Cavaliers multiple times in the playoffs. Toronto tried as hard as they could to take out the four-time MVP, but they really had no answer for LeBron.

DeRozan had an impressive 2018-19 season with the Spurs, putting up 21.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists. Along with LaMarcus Aldridge, they managed to lead San Antonio to the seventh seed in the Western Conference before losing to the Denver Nuggets in the first round.

DeRozan would've wanted to play his entire career for the Raptors, but the NBA is a business. Teams will always look to find ways to get better. Still, he's happy for his former team and wants nothing but the best for them moving forward.