Raptors apologize to DeRozan on deal

MONTREAL – Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri apologized to DeMar DeRozan on Friday for “miscommunication” prior to the blockbuster NBA trade that sent DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard.

DeRozan, who had spent all nine of his NBA seasons with the Raptors, reacted angrily to the trade on Wednesday with an Instagram post saying “Told one thing and the outcome another. Can’t trust ‘em. Ain’t no loyalty in this game.”

Ujiri said at a press conference at the Raptors’ arena in Toronto that the chance to acquire twotime Defensive Player of the Year Leonard was simply too good to pass up.

But he said he regretted perhaps indicating to DeRozan that he wouldn’t be traded.

“I want to apologize to DeMar DeRozan for a gap of miscommunication, but also to acknowledge him, and what he’s done here with the Raptors, for this city, for this country,” Ujiri said.