DeMar DeRozan on Masai Ujiri: ‘No reason to have a relationship’

DeMar DeRozan speaks with media at the USA Basketball Camp in Las Vegas regarding his relationship with Raptors President Masai Ujiri following his trade to the Spurs.

As far as DeMar DeRozan is concerned, his prior relationship with Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is “done.”

Holding court with the media after the first day of USA Basketball Camp in Las Vegas, DeRozan made it clear that the bridge between him and Ujiri had effectively become ash.

Here’s how that conversation went:

[blockquote] Reporter: Have you had any conversations with Masai since?

DeRozan: No.

Reporter: Do you plan to?

DeRozan: No.

Reporter: Is that relationship over?

DeRozan: Done. No reason to have a relationship.

Reporter: That’s the flip side of loyalty for you then?

DeRozan: I’m done. I’m done. It’s just done for me, on my end.[/blockquote]

DeRozan’s hurt feelings stem from the stunning trade that saw Ujiri and the Raptors land Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green from the San Anonio Spurs in exchange for the long-time Raptors star, Jakob Poeltl and a protected first-round pick.

Expressing “shock” and betrayal, over the trade in the aftermath of it, now DeRozan is most looking forward to his first crack against the Raptors this coming season.

“It’ll definitely be a date circled with it, without a doubt,” DeRozan said of the first meeting between Toronto and San Antonio when the schedule gets released.

In the meantime, while he waits, DeRozan will be trying to get acclimated to his new team and already got a preview of what life will be like with Gregg Popovich at the helm with some one-on-one instruction with his new coach at the USA Basketball camp Thursday.

He also caught up with old Raptors buddy Kyle Lowry at the camp.

DeRozan has reportedly withdrawn from participating in Basketball Without Borders and the NBA Africa game to further prepare himself for life with his new team.

A four-time all-star, DeRozan had previously spent his entire nine-season career with the Raptors and is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played, minutes played and points.

Ujiri is the director of Basketball Without Borders’ Africa program.

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