There was no good way for Raptors to exchange DeMar DeRozan, and five other thoughts around the NBA

. I do not think everyone is like that, I think it's a guy that people do not really understand how important winning is and how important the Toronto Raptors are to him. that he wants to succeed, he wants to be successful here. "

At this point, this kind of quote seems obvious to anyone with a superficial understanding of DeRozan's career.It was said before DeRozan even played a playoff match, well, and well before that." refused to take free will meetings and declared, "I am Toronto". (Shout-out to the former Raptors sniper Steve Novak for insight, which I I used it in a story of SB Nation that feels like a millionaire now.)

Early in his career, DeRozan hated the teams walking to the Air Canada Center who was waiting to win. aliens, including many of his peers, despised the city and the franchise.He hated sitting at home and watching his friends play in the playoffs.He was determined to change the way people thought in Toronto, and he worked like crazy for successful salt

DeRozan said a lot to Haynes, with the clarity and brevity that such answers have provided for years. As the guy with the word "loyalty" tattooed on his left hand, the guy who kissed the place that he called "literally a second home" before he's cool, he's been questioned about it again and again. Being a Raptor has become a part of DeRozan's identity in an unusual way in this case. It is therefore not surprising that he is still in shock.

"I was so mentally trying to be at home," DeRozan told Haynes. "I'm proud of the community, I'm proud of everything that has happened in Canada, not even Toronto, everything that happened in Canada and this Toronto Raptors jersey. That's because everyone knows what type of guy I am. "

It's also why, no matter what you think of how the Raptors' president Masai Ujiri handled the trade, it's hard to imagine a clear separation." DeRozan said that while what he wanted, it was more in the opinion that an agreement was possible, but how much warning would have sufficed? Would Ujiri have risked upsetting it by disclosing it? the discussions while he thought that Kawhi Leonard's landing was a long shot? What exactly do franchises have to their franchisees, beyond their high wages? These are difficult questions to answer, but Ujiri's work requires both an ability to connect with people and ruthless decision-making.In a candid moment at his press conference last week, Ujiri said that "It's honestly why I will not do that one day."

On the bottom Since Mr Ujiri started this press with apologies, it is fair to say that his communication with DeRozan could have been clearer. Even though DeRozan was completely in the loop, I bet he'd still be talking to Haynes about having a huge chip on his shoulder and promising that next season would be "hell for a lot of people." Toronto built its culture around DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, and the nine-year veteran did not hide the fact that he wanted to finish his career where he started. DeRozan was committed to the Raptors as long as they were determined to win. It was always going to be brutal to discover that it was not reciprocal.

Ahh, Capela

Losing Trevor Ariza hurts. Losing Luc Mbah a Mule did not help. Add Carmelo Anthony est, Interesting . Still, I bet the Houston Rockets remain the league's second-best team next season, with James Harden and Chris Paul in the lead … as long as they do not spoil Clint Capela's situation.

Capela is by far the best player yet available in the free agent market, and he is stuck in limbo because he is a restricted free agent, no one needs centers and all of world badumed that Houston would match any offer sheet. The Rockets have every right to use their influence here, but there is a risk of alienation of the 24-year-old to the point where he decides to take the qualifying bid . If he does not feel respected, next year could be difficult and he can leave as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

I would be shocked if Houston did not work with Capela, but I'm already a little shocked at not having offered him a maximum contract right away. Capela is already a star in his role, and he could play a much bigger role in a few years. Even though he never becomes an All-NBA player, he is already the type of guy who makes the game easier for elite players without taking anything off the table. The Rockets need him.

The love, actually

I can not wait to see the real Kevin Love again. While my thoughts on its extension are quite complicated all the skepticism that I have about the Cleveland Cavaliers' long-term reconstruction plan. From an entertainment point of view, my catch is simple: it makes the Cavs look good.

Cleveland will likely be one of the worst defensive teams in the league next season, but I choose to be optimistic and focus on the other end for the moment. Over the past four years, whether David Blatt or Tyronn Lue were in charge, there were ongoing calls for Love to be more represented in the offense. Why not let it be easy from the top of the key? Why not exclude screens? Why not give it more keys just to diversify the Cavs' attack? All of this is over because Love will clearly be Cleveland's # 1 option. Let's see what this looks like for the first time since 2014, when this guy averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 badists.

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A new type of Bully balloon

I'm even taller than most on Wendell Carter Jr., and I still can not be excited about what's going on here. It is simply astounding that the same team has taken risks on LaVine and Parker, both of whom have significant defensive defenses and have already suffered serious knee injuries early in their respective careers. We should all encourage them to have buckets and to complete their games, but at the moment, it seems that Chicago is embarking on a furtive tank job.

Not the Beas

Of course, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Michael Beasley, and of course Beasley thinks it's unfair for people to judge people like him and Lance Stephenson . Even if you completely ignore the circus angle of the locker room, it's easy to highlight the recent Lakers movements from a purely basketball point of view.

"You talk about taking the ball off the best referee in the NBA," David Griffin, former Cavs general manager, told KNBR 680 recently. "And when you clear the court around him, your points per possession will be infinitely higher with him on the shaft than with anyone else. "

Griffin said that he did not understand the Los Angeles movements in a contextual playoff, which, well, me either. James could perhaps improve these players, but these are not the types of guys who improve James. Again, the formula should be pretty simple: surround James with players who can stretch the floor and keep multiple positions. Nobody says that the Lakers should not have extra play, but going back and forth at the expense of spacing and versatility seems crazy.

Poeltl Power

The inclusion of Jakob Poeltl in the Raptors-Spurs trade reminds me so much of Domantas Sabonis' place in the blockbuster Thunder-Pacers last year. Like Sabonis, Poeltl is a smart and intelligent big man who has been stuck in a stalemate with his first team and could be a vital part of the future of his new team. Toronto has been praised for only giving up its fifth-best player in the business, but that says more about the Raptors talent collection than Poeltl. If he can add strength without sacrificing his mobility, he will be extremely difficult to handle – he already has the size, feel and feel for the game that San Antonio likes in his big men.

Sabonis was quickly established in Indiana last season. Poeltl might not have a ton of titles right now, but do not be surprised if he's doing the same thing with the Spurs.