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Raptors: 3 reasons why team should trade for DeMar DeRozan

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs hugs Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors following an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 22, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs hugs Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors following an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 22, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – JUNE 17: Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri  (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Closure for Masai Ujiri and DeMar DeRozan

It’s always awkward and sad when you break up with someone. Sometimes it takes a few days or a few months to get over the heartbreak, but without closure, that wound can last years. In terms of a relationship example, Ujiri essentially gave DeRozan a ring and left him at the altar.

DeRozan thought that he and the Raptors were going to live happily after. Instead, Ujiri found someone better. That’s a tough situation to come back from. It’s even harder when the Raptors won a championship one year after he left.

In regards to DeRozan and Ujiri’s relationship, here’s what the Raptors executive said about it last April:

"“With DeMar, there is still plenty of work to be done. But, by the grace of God, it will all get better. We have to continue to make these decisions that are tough. But that’s the business of basketball and the position that we are in.”"

If Ujiri really wants the relationship to get better, he would benefit from trading for the four-time All-Star and giving him a chance to redeem his career in Toronto. The one negative that would come from this situation is that there are no fans this year and the team is playing in Tampa.

However, it would at least give fans at home the opportunity to see DeRozan in a Raptors jersey once again and potentially mend a broken relationship between player and executive.