Raptors news: Masai Ujiri told DeMar DeRozan 'nothing was imminent' prior to Kawhi Leonard trade

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri told DeMar DeRozan "nothing was imminent" prior to his eventual trade to the San Antonio Spurs.

DeMar DeRozan felt betrayed after word of a trade involving him and Kawhi Leonard went viral, reportedly having been assured that he wouldn't be traded just the week before the trade went down.

Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri briefly explained what went on last week in Las Vegas, when the two sides met during the Summer League.

According to Josh Lewenberg of TSN, the Raptors boss told DeRozan and his agent that “nothing was imminent,” but at the time, the Raptors were only fourth in the pecking order, still at the early stages of conversations.

Masai says that at the time of the conversation with DeMar in Summer League (where DeRozan believes he was mislead) the Raptors were 4th in line to land Kawhi, told DD and his agent nothing was imminent.

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 20, 2018

The Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers had already contacted the San Antonio Spurs inquiring about Leonard, and while they were considered the major pushers for this trade to go down, they slowly faded after failing to include any physical assets for a player that wasn't willing to commit long-term or provide any clear update on his quad injury.

Ujiri pounced at the chance, bundling DeRozan, center Jakob Poeltl and a first-round pick in return for Leonard, marksman Danny Green, and $5 million in cash considerations to make the deal work.

DeRozan was devastated after finding out rumors were indeed true, but it is the nature of the business, as cliche and ruthless as that sounds.

Ujiri might have had the feeling that there was nothing concrete to worry about, but plans change, terms change, and minds also change at the drop of a pin.

The Spurs were previously viewed as hellbent in retaining Leonard and making it work, but they ultimately gave in and surrendered their star for the best package available, which happened to include DeRozan.

The Compton native didn't seem eager to accept Ujiri's apology, so it might take some time for the two to mend that relationship unless it has reached the point of no return.