In a recent appearance on ESPN’s “First Take,” DeMar DeRozan made a bold statement that has sparked considerable debate among NBA fans and analysts alike.
The six-time All-Star expressed his unwavering belief that the Toronto Raptors would have still won the 2019 NBA Championship even if the trade for Kawhi Leonard had never happened.
DeRozan, who was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a blockbuster deal that brought Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, stated,
“I have no doubt in my mind the same outcome would have happened”.
He emphasized that the Raptors were on the cusp of greatness and just needed one more piece to push them over the top. According to DeRozan, that piece was not necessarily Leonard, but rather the departure of LeBron James to the Western Conference.
“I have no doubt in my mind the same outcome would have happened.”
– DeMar DeRozan on whether the Raptors would have won a championship if they hadn’t traded him for Kawhi Leonard
(🎥 @FirstTake / h/t @BASKETBALLonX )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 11, 2024
For years, LeBron James had been a significant obstacle for the Raptors, eliminating them from the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. DeRozan pointed out that with LeBron moving to the Los Angeles Lakers, the path to the NBA Finals became more accessible for Toronto.
“The only person we couldn’t beat was LeBron,” DeRozan noted.
He believed that without LeBron in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors had a clear shot at the title.
The 2018-19 Raptors, led by Leonard, achieved historic success by winning the franchise’s first NBA Championship. Leonard’s performance, particularly his iconic buzzer-beater against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, was pivotal.
However, DeRozan argues that the core of the team, which included Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, and Fred VanVleet, was already strong enough to contend for a championship.
