Scarred by LeBron, DeMar DeRozan Drops Brutal Kawhi Leonard Confession After Reliving ‘Emotional’ Raptors Days
Did the Raptors betray DeRozan by trading him for Kawhi, or was it a necessary move for a title?
DeMar DeRozan recently revisited the emotional fallout from his trade from the Toronto Raptors, expressing his belief that the team would have won the 2019 NBA Championship if he had remained. Reflecting on the 2018 summer trade that sent him to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard
DeRozan stated, “I have no doubt in my mind the same outcome would have happened,” emphasizing his conviction that Toronto’s success was within reach even without the blockbuster deal.
Despite acknowledging the Raptors’ eventual championship
Despite acknowledging the Raptors’ eventual championship win, he added, “Never discredit those guys, they won it, they deserve it,” recognizing their achievement while also revealing his own sense of betrayal.
DeRozan conveyed his disappointment by saying, “I was happy for him but sure I definitely like that you know you the only person who could be LeBron that way just wouldn’t work.” This statement underscores his belief that the Raptors had a stronger chance of success with him remaining.
He hinted that the departure of LeBron James to the Western Conference was a crucial factor, stating,, “After a year we just needed peace that kinda pushes on top and peace came to me, LeBron going to the West.”
DeRozan felt that LeBron James’ move to the Western Conference provided a critical opportunity for the Raptors, one he believes could have been fully realized if he had stayed in Toronto.
Could DeRozan’s presence have altered the course of the Raptors’ championship run?
The 2019 NBA Finals were not just a historic moment for the Raptors, but also a significant turning point in NBA history. The impact of Toronto’s championship win, coupled with the Warriors’ injury woes, reshaped the league’s dynamics and altered team strategies.
Understanding what transpired in 2019 provides crucial context for the current state of the NBA and ongoing team decisions.
