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'Build a statue': Fans, players react to DeRozan-Leonard trade

Twitter has had a mixed response on the Raptors/Spurs mega-trade. (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)
Twitter has had a mixed response on the Raptors/Spurs mega-trade. (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Others just have jokes.

Fans and pundits have had their say, while former teammates and adversaries of DeRozan are fully in support of the four-time All-Star.

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.