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DeMar DeRozan Makes Raptors Admission After First Season With Kings

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Elie A. Deglaoui | Last updated May 29, 2025 5:03 PM ET

After three years with the Chicago Bulls, six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan joined the Sacramento Kings via a sign-and-trade last season. In his first season with the Kings, the California native averaged 22.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Despite his solid season, the Kings finished 40-42 and missed the playoffs.

DeRozan has made an impact everywhere he has been, but most would consider his tenure with the Toronto Raptors as the best of his career. The USC alum spent the first nine years of his career in Toronto and was a crucial part of some of the best seasons the franchise has ever seen.

Recently, the former Raptors star made an admission about his former team six years after he last suited up for them.

The Raptors drafted DeRozan with the ninth pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. During his time in Toronto, DeRozan was a four-time All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Team selection, and he earned MVP votes in each of his last two seasons with the team. Additionally, he led the Raptors to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2016.

Recently, the 35-year-old reflected on his Raptors career and made it clear he was "glad" he was drafted there. Additionally, he gave some love to the city of Toronto, saying it would always "be the No. 1 place in my heart."

“I’m glad I didn’t get drafted nowhere else. Toronto is always going to be the No. 1 place in my heart,” DeRozan said on a recent episode of Run Your Race.

DeRozan remains one of the best players in Raptors history. Furthermore, he was one of their top players up until the team traded him to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard in 2019. DeRozan is still going strong 16 years after getting drafted, and while he is still making his presence felt in the league, it is clear which organization he has enjoyed the most.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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