The Toronto Raptors don't have much of a reason to pay close attention to Luka Doncic. He plays for the Los Angeles Lakers across the continent, is in the Western Conference, and just signed a new contract extension to stay in Hollywood for years to come.
Yet Doncic did recently make a bombshell statement that could have ripple effects throughout the NBA. This summer has been a media tour for the new, slimmed-down Doncic. He is moving on from the nasty and shocking divorce with the Dallas Mavericks and embracing his role on the league's glitziest franchise.
The most recent stop on that media tour was with the Wall Street Journal's Jason Gay. In a wide-ranging piece hitting on Doncic's upbringing, his offseason workout plan and his intentions to compete in Los Angeles, Gay asked Doncic about whether he would like to return to Real Madrid, the Spanish club where Doncic played from age 13 until he was drafted into the NBA.
Many NBA stars get asked this sort of question, although for players who followed the traditional college route into the league the question is generally directed toward returning to their first NBA team rather than a pre-NBA club. Still, it's a common question -- and most NBA players deflect, not wanting to create a media firestorm.
Doncic did not. He was open with his answer. Would he like to return to Real Madrid later in his career and win them another championship? "For sure."
Doncic could cause shockwaves for other NBA stars
By being so open and direct about his willingness to play for another team -- certainly not anytime soon, but eventually -- Doncic could encourage other players to follow suit. And one such player with a strong connection to the Toronto Raptors could follow his lead.
DeMar DeRozan played the first nine seasons of his NBA career with the Raptors, making four All-Star teams and multiple All-NBA teams. He remains the franchise leader in games, minutes, free throws and points, and he is just behind Kyle Lowry in a handful of others. DeRozan's connection to Toronto is strong.
What is more, DeRozan has come fairly close to expressing the same sentiment that Doncic just did, noting that it would be "poetic" to return to the Raptors before the end of his career. Not as direct as the Lakers' star, but the foundation appears to be there.
DeRozan is currently under contract on the Sacramento Kings, but it was common knowledge that the Kings were open to moving on from DDR this summer. No trade materialized, but one could certainly come around during the season or next summer with DeRozan on an expiring deal. And in the summer of 2027, DeRozan may have just enough juice for a final season or two back with the Raptors on a modest deal.
Once upon a time it was quite common for NBA players to return to their first teams one last time before they retired for good. Doncic could be the voice of a new movement that wants to build poetic, full-circle careers.
DeMar DeRozan could take that step first, coming back to the Raptors to finish his career where it all began.