DeMar DeRozan has recently signed a three-year, $74 million contract with the Sacramento Kings. With the Kings, DeRozan aims to make a significant impact, targeting a run to the Western Conference Finals in the upcoming season.
Nevertheless, DeRozan has made it clear that he does not see the Kings as the team where he wants to finish his career. In a recent interview with Doug Smith of the Toronto Star, DeRozan expressed his deep desire to end his professional journey with the Toronto Raptors, the team that first drafted him.
“You definitely want to go out in a poetic way, especially where it all started. If I had the opportunity to do something like that, you can’t turn something like that down, to put on that jersey for the last time, because it was the first jersey you put on,” DeRozan said.
DeRozan was the Raptors’ ninth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Over his nine seasons with Toronto, he made a substantial impact, averaging 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
DeMar DeRozan Opens Up About Turning Down Lakers Offer
Before joining the Sacramento Kings, DeMar DeRozan had the opportunity to sign with several other teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Lakers didn’t show significant interest in him, as recently reported by Sam Amick of The Athletic. DeRozan shared his thoughts on the situation.
“Yeah, you just learn how to deal with it from a business standpoint. Obviously I have my selfish reasons of wanting to be able to play at home; sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. And sometimes it probably isn’t the best decision for me either. So after that didn’t happen, I didn’t dwell on it. I wasn’t mad. They made their choice, and I just left it at that,” DeRozan said.
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Despite his personal desire to return home and play for the Lakers, DeRozan accepted the Kings’ offer, focusing on his new opportunity. With the Kings, he is now preparing to face the Golden State Warriors on October 10.
Also Read: DeMar DeRozan Believes The 2019 Raptors Would Have Been NBA Champions Even Without 2x NBA Finals MVP.
