DeMar DeRozan didn’t shut down the idea of one day retiring with the Toronto Raptors.
DeRozan’s new book “Above the Noise” went on sale last week and he made a stop in Toronto during his book tour.
The 35-year-old was asked by Anne-Marie Mediwake on CTV’s Your Morning if he would retire as a Raptor:
“I mean this is definitely a place I would want to go out, someway, somehow, just to make the story right…I’m not sure how much time I got left, but it would be very poetic to go out in a place where it all started from.”
DeRozan was drafted by Toronto with the No. 9 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He spent nine seasons with the franchise, as he lead the Raptors to five straight playoff berths.
He racked up a franchise-leading 13,296 points during his tenure with the Raptors.
In 2018, the Raptors made a blockbuster trade and opted to move on from DeRozan. They traded him the San Antonio Spurs in a package that saw the Raptors acquire Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.
The move worked out well for the Raptors as they ended up winning the 2019 NBA Championship. However, the trade blindsided DeRozan and created a rift between he and Raptors management.
DeRozan spent three seasons in San Antonio and then was traded to the Chicago Bulls where he spent three more seasons. DeRozan recently signed a three-year deal with the Sacramento Kings this summer.
DeRozan’s former teammate Kyle Lowry has also talked about wanting to retire with the Raptors when he calls it quits on his NBA career.
As for DeRozan, it seems like he would be open to reuniting with the Raptors down the line.
Former Raptors big man Christian Koloko signs with Lakers
Christian Koloko has found a new home.
The 24-year-old is signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. He will be able to join them after he receives clearance from the NBA’s fitness panel, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Sept 14.
Have you subscribed to the Raptors Nation YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!