'Build a statue': Fans, players react to DeRozan-Leonard trade
After several weeks of speculation, news finally broke early Wednesday that the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs had come to an agreement on a trade with DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard as the centerpieces.
Here’s the complete blockbuster.
Spurs have agree to trade Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to Toronto for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round pick, league sources tell ESPN. Trade call with league office is starting shortly.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 18, 2018
A total shocker of a trade. The Raptors demonstrated last postseason that they needed change, and boy did they ever shake things up.
But one early report indicates that Leonard has no interest, at all, in playing for the Raptors. Another report stated that Toronto brass told DeRozan earlier this offseason that he would not be traded.
Suffice to say, it’s created a stir on Twitter.
DeMar DeRozan was told one thing by the #Raptors management and now all signs point to him being delt to the #Spurs for a deal centered around Kawhi Leonard.
His IG story moments after the #WojBomb: pic.twitter.com/kPFw5jIegQ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) July 18, 2018
“Hey Kawhi, are you excited to be on the Raptors?” 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/aCeqXCd6dH
— Overtime (@overtime) July 18, 2018
Let’s trade the guy who has this tweet pinned for 8 years. The guy who wants to stay with one team his entire career. I’m truly sorry for @DeMar_DeRozan pic.twitter.com/nbIvyonwnt
— Nick Te (@Nick_Te_) July 18, 2018
In an era of super teams, DeMar DeRozan stayed loyal. There were no on-court antics. There was no trouble off the court, either. All he wanted was to represent his adopted city (and country) the best he could, and he did a phenomenal job at that.
— Richard Lee-Sam (@RLeesam) July 18, 2018
Raptors continue to take L’s. Kawhi gone the moment off season starts next summer. Demar’s game is going to thrive under Pop’s coaching. pic.twitter.com/RLXqnoHqr4
— k (@kimisokay) July 18, 2018
Despite acquiring Leonard, some fans have an issue with the team’s loyalty to DeRozan, who has given everything to the club, and how that contrasts with Leonard’s apparent disinterest in being a Raptor.
How many L’s do the Raptors hold?
They LOSE TO LEBRON AGAIN.
They fire Dwane Casey who wins COTY award.
You try to trade DeMar AFTER you told him he wouldn’t be traded.
Kawhi verbally says “I HAVE NO DESIRE TO BE IN TORONTO.”
1 automatic L just for being the Raptors.
— Michael (REAL LAKER FAN)!!! (@TheRealA1Mikez) July 18, 2018
Raptors gave up Demar just to rent Kawhi for a year.
— Freddie Gibbs (@FreddieGibbs) July 18, 2018
Kawhi Leonard after his 3rd game as a Raptor pic.twitter.com/s2XIsd5gaj
— Cult of Personality (@Phranchize19) July 18, 2018
Kawhi at his first raptors press conference. pic.twitter.com/PBX3EQFDzV
— Cult of Personality (@Phranchize19) July 18, 2018
But not all people feel this way. Some think that the Raptors have made a very, very smart move in acquiring a player who has finished second and third in NBA MVP voting in his career.
Pretty crazy that Toronto didn’t have to give up OG to land Kawhi. Goes to show how little leverage San Antonio had here.
I really don’t like this trade for the Spurs. That roster is putrid.
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) July 18, 2018
NO SIAKAM OR OG MASAI I LOVE YOU https://t.co/az7lFMgsFW
— Faizal Khamisa (@SNFaizalKhamisa) July 18, 2018
i… i think the raptors stole kawhi leonard?
— Matt Ellentuck (@mellentuck) July 18, 2018
Others just have jokes.
Raptors finally got their Bron stopper. I'll be surprised if Bron scores a single point on Kawhi next postseason.
— Beyonce has an uncle named Larry Beyince. Bruh…. (@DragonflyJonez) July 18, 2018
Fans and pundits have had their say, while former teammates and adversaries of DeRozan are fully in support of the four-time All-Star.
Mad respect for @DeMar_DeRozan
a classy player who has given his heart to a franchise.
One of the most Loyal player I know.
Giving you away for nothing..@Raptors— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) July 18, 2018
Dear fans of Toronto,
It’s time you guys build a statue of @DeMar_DeRozan Regardless of what happens. He deserves it. 🇨🇦— Terrence Ross (@TFlight31) July 18, 2018
No matter what…When I think of Toronto Raptors Basketball… I think of DeMar Derozan…He deserves a statue…🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️💯💯💯
— DeMarre Carroll (@DeMarreCarroll1) July 18, 2018
Strong words from an opponent, and a pair of players who have shared the court with DeRozan.
Will there be a statue outside of Scotiabank Arena for Toronto’s all-time points leader? Maybe not, but it’s pretty unfortunate that things ended the way they have between the Raptors and the one player who showed the most devotion to the franchise since arriving in 2009.