DeMar DeRozan still holds Toronto in his heart.
On Jan. 28, the Toronto Raptors put out a new episode of Open Gym on its YouTube Channel featuring DeRozan and his longtime teammate and best friend Kyle Lowry.
DeRozan opened up about his time in Toronto and he made it clear that he wants to retire a Raptor one day:
“Me being drafted there there was no other place I wanted to go. I just always think about even the tweet that I tweeted when Chris [Bosh] left. You know don’t worry, I got us. Like I meant that. I meant that wholeheartedly and I think the love and the ups and downs I really gave my all to that organization, to that country because I just wanted to be respected in return…that’s the only place I want to go out as well, doing the whole one-day thing…I think I said it before I would never have an emotion connection with no other place than Toronto.”
Lowry had previously shared the same desire to sign a one-day contract and retire with the Raptors and he mentioned it again on the episode.
Lowry and DeRozan were a dynamic duo for the Raptors who played together from 2012 until 2018, but then DeRozan was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a blockbuster deal that sent Kawhi Leonard to Toronto. DeRozan then spent three seasons with the Chicago Bulls and now he’s a member of the Sacramento Kings
Once Lowry and DeRozan call it quits on their NBA career, it seems like they are ready to be embraced by the Raptors organization. Both players will likely see their jersey hanging from the Scotiabank Arena rafters.
Raptors team to monitor for Brandon Ingram trade
It’s been widely speculated that the Toronto Raptors will be sellers at the trade deadline, but they could always pivot and make an aggressive push for a star.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein the Raptors are a team to keep an eye on when it comes to Brandon Ingram.
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!
