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Speaking for the first time since sending DeRozan to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard, Ujiri began by saying sorry to DeRozan.Raptor's career had expressed his anger and frustration in an Instagram post after learning about it. 39, agreeing that he had been informed that he would not be exchanged.
Few mps after Ujiri apologized on Friday, DeRozan added a new post to his Instagram feed. Facepalm emoji, a symbol of frustration and exasperation.
Reflecting on a conversation he had had with DeRozan in the summer league earlier this month, Ujiri said he should have taken better care of them during the summer months. discussions on future plans. my mistake was about what we expected from him, "said Ujiri. "I think that's where the gap was, because in my job I always have to assume that I'm going ahead with the team that I have. If there was a communication problem, I apologize to DeMar. "
Yet after three disappointing straight knockouts, Ujiri felt something to change with the Raptors. He admitted to having struggled with the "human side" of the trade, but decided that Leonard was too good a price to let him go.
Now, says Ujiri, the Raptors "are walking on a territory we never have."
"I think if we look honestly, everyone knows we have to do something different, even if it was not that," Ujiri said. "We had to find something different – I take responsibility."
"We've been doing this for how many years?" Ujiri says. "You can not continue doing the same thing again and again. again. And when you have a chance to get a top 5, which does not come up very often, I think you have to jump on it. We gave this team a chance, we tried to build it as much as we could, but at that time, this opportunity came before us and we had to jump on it. "
DeRozan led the Raptors scored in each of the last five years and played a key role in Toronto's victory by winning a record 59 wins and winning the first place in the Conference." Last season was
. "Ujiri said, promising that the missing guard will be recognized" in the best way we can do it "for his nine seasons with the Raptors.
Even with DeRozan, Toronto lost three consecutive playoffs against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, including consecutive scans in the second round. The Raptors have never reached the finals of the NBA.
Leonard, the 2014 NBA MVP, finished twice in the top three MVP polls and twice won the title of defensive player of the year. Ujiri called his new acquisition "a basketball player who plays both sides of the ground and produces."
Still, there are reasons to worry. A seven-year veteran, Leonard missed all but nine games last season because of a leg injury. He may become a free agent next summer and expressed his desire to play for the Los Angeles Lakers
as long as Leonard is with the Raptors, however, Ujiri will work to show him what Toronto has to offer . "I think there is a lot to sell here," Ujiri said. "Our team, our culture, our city, our property.We have everything here except a championship, IMHO.I do not think we miss anything in this city."
Leonard has not yet passed a physical test, said Ujiri, adding that it is expected that it will happen "in the coming days."
Ujiri, back a trip to Africa earlier Friday, has not met Leonard in person since trading, but said that they spoke on the phone. Ujiri has disputed rumors that Leonard has no interest in playing north of the border.
"He did not express a lack of interest in playing in Canada for me," said Ujiri
DeRozan and Leonard should be on Next week, USA Basketball will convene a camp of 39th National Team Training in Las Vegas. This team is coached by Gregg Popovich of San Antonio.
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