Behind the DeRozan-Leonard trade with Masai Ujiri

The DeMar DeRozan-Kawhi Commercial Scandal Leonard has been storming the basketball world since last week, with opinions from all sides and debates raging to find out if it's going to be a big deal. was a stroke of genius, a crush One by the Raptors

So why did the Raps exchange their universally beloved star star against a guy who, according to all the early stories, at least, is more than likely to leave at the end of the season? According to the team's chairman, Masai Ujiri, the opportunity to bring an elite talent like Leonard to Toronto does not come too often, and it was time to pounce.

It was simply time to change too.

"We've been doing this for years, you know, you can not go on doing the same thing over and over, and when you have a chance to get a top five player, I think you have to jump on it, "said Ujiri at a press conference on Friday.

The questions dividing opinions are those of loyalty. Rumors continue to circulate that DeRozan's biggest problem, besides the fact that he longed to spend his entire career in Toronto, was that he was badured by Ujiri that he would not be exchanged. . No matter what was said, Ujiri realizes that he would probably have been able to communicate more directly with the former star of the team.

"When I met him at the Summer League, I told myself that there was nothing imminent at the time." We were fourth in the (To land Kawhi), I could not see where the talks were going – maybe I should have occupied them, you know, better. "

Ujiri also feels that he was going to be in charge. he gave the rest of the core of the team "

" When I arrived here, I gave them a chance, you know? As I could have done everything I wanted when I took the job, I could have let go of the coach, I could have traded players. But I'm really happy that we did something different on a high. "

But, is it all worth it – will Leonard re-sign?"

"You know, that's my job. Time will tell if it was the best shot for the franchise in the long run but, hurting feelings and loyalty issues, it is clear that the Raptors are simply a better team on the basketball court today. that they were not there last week.

On the floor, however, DeRozan is going to be almost impossible to replace. So, business is going.