Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri expressed confidence in star point guard Kyle Lowry getting past the heartbreak of seeing former backcourt mate DeMar DeRozan traded to the San Antonio Spurs.
Ujiri said he wasn't surprised by Lowry's reaction to the trade, but “is confident he'll be a pro and lead the team once camp opens, as he's always done,” according to Josh Lewenberg of TSN.
“Kyle is close with DeMar and he's going to be sensitive to that. I think that was a blow to him, (but) I think basketball-wise Kyle is always ready. He's training hard, and he'll be ready.”
Lowry built a strong bond with DeRozan throughout their years together, becoming one of the iconic backcourts of the NBA and the ultimate bromance between two unique basketball talents.
Oddly enough, the man who once pondered the possibility of trading Lowry opted for his backcourt partner, which offered the best value for a Spurs team seeking a star-caliber player in return for Kawhi Leonard.
Ujiri reiterated the tough choices he has had to make this offseason, including the big trade and the firing Coach of the Year Dwane Casey, who led the Raptors to their best regular-season record in franchise history.
It will take a while before Lowry builds some chemistry with Leonard, the Raptors' new franchise player, but the team will ultimately need them to work together if they hope to take over the crown in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
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