Raptors president Masai Ujiri apologized to former Toronto all-star guard DeMar DeRozan for a “gap in communication.”
Ujiri spoke to reporters today for the first time after Wednesday’s blockbuster trade that sent DeRozan to San Antonio for superstar forward Kawhi Leonard.
DeRozan had said emphatically in the past that he wanted to finish his career in Toronto and was reportedly told by Raptors management this summer that he would not be traded.
The guard voiced his displeasure regarding the trade on his Instagram account, insinuating the Raptors were disloyal.
READ MORE: DeMar DeRozan trade reaction a mixed bag of emotions
The trade also saw 31-year-old shooting guard Danny Green come to Toronto in exchange for 22-year-old centre Jakob Poeltl and a 2019 protected first-round draft pick.
The Raptors finished first in the Eastern Conference with a 59-23 record last season but were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs for the second straight year.
Following the early playoff exit, the Raptors fired head coach Dwane Casey and replaced him with former assistant Nick Nurse.
VIDEO: Raptors GM says Kawai Leonard trade about ‘winning a championship’
DeRozan, a four-time all-star swingman, has led the Raptors in scoring in each of the last five seasons. He was popular with fans and teammates during his nine-year run with the team, once famously declaring “I am Toronto.”
DeRozan is the Raptors’ all-time leader in points (13,296), field goals made (4,716), free throws made (3,539) and games played (675).
READ MORE: Toronto Raptors trade DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard
Leonard, meanwhile, spent seven years in San Antonio but appeared in only nine games last season due to a leg injury.
Leonard helped the Spurs win a championship in 2014 and was named NBA Finals MVP.
During the 2016-17 season, Leonard averaged a career-best 25.5 points a game and was third in the MVP voting.
Ujiri on Friday also welcomed Leonard to the Raptors and said the forward, who played just nine games last season due to injury, will undergo a physical in the coming days.
VIDEO: Masai Ujiri ‘confident’ Kawai Leonard will want to play for Toronto
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