For the second time since the Toronto Raptors decided to swing big on a blockbuster deal for Kawhi Leonard, former franchise icon DeMar DeRozan — the trade chip used to land Leonard — has taken to Instagram to make his feelings known.
DeRozan first expressed his displeasure via social media in the early hours of Wednesday morning, posting a trio of comments to his Instagram story, the first of which read: “Be told one thing and the outcome another. Can’t trust em. Ain’t no loyalty in this game. Sell you out for a quick little bit of nothing…”
Alex Seixeiro on Twitter
DeMar DeRozan’s Instagram this morning.
Soon after, it was announced that DeRozan was headed to Texas along with Jakob Poeltl and a top-20 protected 2019 first-round pick, with Leonard and veteran Danny Green heading to Ontario in return.
On Friday, Raptors president Masai Ujiri addressed the media for the first time following the franchise-altering trade, making a point to apologize for how the DeRozan situation panned out.
“Maybe I should have handled it better,” Ujiri told reporters. “Maybe my mistake was talking to him about what we expected going forward from him. Not a trade, but what I expect from him going forward. If there was a miscommunication there I do apologize to DeMar and his family and his representation.”
Shortly after Ujiri’s press conference, DeRozan posted to his Instagram story once again with what appeared to be a response.
Tim and Sid on Twitter
After Masai Ujiri apologized to DeRozan at a press conference this morning. DeMar posted this to his Instagram story 2 minutes ago:
DeRozan logged nine years in Toronto, emerging as one of the most influential players to ever take the floor in Raptors colours. While the NBA has yet to release the league’s official 2018-19 schedule, it’s safe to say the Raptors’ first meeting with DeRozan’s Spurs will line up as a must-see affair.
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