Are Kyle Lowry And Demar Derozan Still Friends?

Morgan Wolf

Are Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan still friends despite the trade that sent DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs? It’s a question that has been on the minds of many basketball fans since the trade happened in 2018.

Fortunately, Lowry recently revealed that the two are still in contact and have a strong bond.

Are Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan Still Friends?
Source: uproxx.com

What Happened – Details of the trade that separated them

On July 18, 2018, the Toronto Raptors made a major move that would drastically alter the team’s fortunes. After nine seasons, the Raptors traded franchise cornerstones Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green from the San Antonio Spurs. This trade was met with mixed reactions from Raptors fans at the time, as it meant parting ways with two of the most beloved players in franchise history.

The Raptors had been stuck in mediocrity for years. Despite the impressive individual performances of Lowry and DeRozan, the team had been unable to make it past the second round of the playoffs. With Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors had a chance to compete at an elite level and become true title contenders. In order to acquire Leonard and Green, the Raptors had to part ways with DeRozan and Lowry, both of whom had become franchise cornerstones.

Lowry had been with the Raptors since 2012, and DeRozan since 2009. During their time in Toronto, Lowry and DeRozan had become two of the most productive players in the NBA and had helped the Raptors become a consistent playoff team. However, with Kawhi Leonard on board, the Raptors had a chance to take the next step and compete for a championship.

This trade turned out to be a win-win for both teams. The Raptors went on to win their first title in 2019, while the Spurs received two valuable assets in return for Leonard and Green. Both Lowry and DeRozan have gone on to have productive careers with their new teams, and both players remain close friends to this day.

The trade of Lowry and DeRozan was a difficult but necessary move for the Raptors. It allowed the team to acquire a generational talent in Leonard and set the stage for their championship run in 2019. While the fans were sad to see two of the best players in franchise history leave, the trade proved to be a success for both sides.

Kyle Lowry’s Emotional Goodbye – How Lowry felt about leaving Toronto

When it was announced in July of 2018 that Kyle Lowry would be leaving the Toronto Raptors after six seasons, it was an emotional goodbye for both Lowry and the city of Toronto. Lowry had become an integral part of the city’s culture, and his departure was met with an outpouring of support and sadness from fans, teammates, and the media.

Lowry was a fan favorite in Toronto, and his hard-nosed approach to the game was seen as a symbol of the city’s grit and determination. He helped the Raptors become a perennial playoff team and had developed a strong bond with his teammates, especially former teammate DeMar DeRozan.

When Lowry announced his departure from the team, he was emotional and expressed his deep gratitude for the city of Toronto. He thanked the fans for their support and expressed how much he loved playing for the Raptors. He also expressed his sadness at leaving his teammates and friends, but said he was looking forward to the next chapter in his career.

Lowry’s emotional goodbye was a testament to the impact he had on the city of Toronto. He had become a leader on the court and a symbol of the city off the court, and his departure was a reminder of how things can change quickly in the NBA.

Lowry’s legacy in Toronto will live on, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest Raptors of all time. He helped transform the team into a perennial playoff team and showed that hard work, determination, and passion can overcome any obstacle. As he moves on to his next chapter, Raptors fans can take solace in knowing that he will always have a special place in their hearts.

Reactions from Fans – Support for both players

The reactions from fans regarding the trade of DeMar DeRozan and Kawhi Leonard have been largely positive. Fans of both teams have expressed their support for the players, expressing their appreciation of the contributions each has made to their respective teams.

On the Toronto Raptors side, fans have thanked DeRozan for his loyalty and dedication to the team over the past nine years. DeRozan was one of the longest-tenured players in franchise history and was the face of the team during his time there.

He was beloved by the city and fans, and his departure will undoubtedly leave a hole that will be hard to fill. Despite the bittersweet emotions associated with his departure, fans understand and appreciate the trade and many have thanked DeRozan for being a great player and leader for the team.

On the San Antonio Spurs side, fans are excited for what Leonard can bring to the team. He is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a former NBA Finals MVP. His addition to the Spurs roster is a great boost for the team and fans are looking forward to seeing what he can do. Despite the sadness of losing a beloved player like DeRozan, Spurs fans are supportive of the move and are optimistic about the future of the team.

Overall, both sets of fans have shown an understanding and appreciation of the trade and have expressed their support for both DeRozan and Leonard. Though it is a bittersweet moment for both teams, fans are confident that this trade will benefit all parties in the long run. As DeRozan and Leonard embark on their new journeys, they can take comfort in the knowledge that they will always have the support of their respective fan bases.

Are They Still Friends? – Lowry’s statement about their friendship

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have been friends since their days as teammates on the Toronto Raptors. After Lowry was traded from Toronto to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2012, the two remained close and continued to keep in touch regularly. In November 2018, Lowry and DeRozan were reunited when DeRozan was traded to the San Antonio Spurs.

When asked about the status of their friendship, Lowry revealed that the two still talk every day. He said that their close bond is based on trust, respect and understanding, and that they will always be there for each other. He also said that they are both very competitive and want to win, but they are also very supportive of each other.

In the past, DeRozan has said that Lowry is like a brother to him and that they share a special bond. He also said that no matter what happens, they will always have a deep respect and admiration for each other.

It is clear that Lowry and DeRozan have a strong friendship and a very close bond. They have been through a lot together, both on and off the court, and have remained close throughout their careers. They have supported each other through difficult times, and continue to talk every day. Their friendship is an example of the type of bond that can be formed through sports, and it is clear that they will remain friends for life.

Looking to the Future – How the trade has changed DeRozan’s career

When the Toronto Raptors traded DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs in the summer of 2018, it was a momentous event for both teams and the league. The move sent shockwaves throughout the NBA, as DeRozan had been a cornerstone of the Raptors’ roster for nine seasons, and had become a fan favourite in Toronto. It also marked a new beginning for DeRozan, as he was now heading to a Spurs team that was in rebuilding mode after the retirement of legendary coach Gregg Popovich.

Since the trade, DeRozan has been able to showcase his true potential. He is a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Team member since joining the Spurs, and has established himself as one of the league’s most productive players with averages of 21.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. He has also become a leader on the court, and has helped guide the Spurs to the playoffs in each of his three seasons with the team.

The trade has also allowed DeRozan to expand his game to new heights. He has become a more efficient shooter, averaging career-highs in three-point shooting percentage (37.3%) and free throw percentage (83.2%). He has also added a few new wrinkles to his game, such as knocking down pull-up three-pointers and becoming a reliable distributor. DeRozan has also proven to be an unselfish player, as he is one of only two players in NBA history to average 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in a season.

DeRozan’s success in San Antonio has also enabled him to reach new heights off the court. He was named the Spurs’ team captain in 2019, and was selected as an NBA Cares Ambassador in 2020. He has also taken part in various community initiatives, and has become a strong advocate for mental health awareness.

Overall, the trade that sent DeRozan to San Antonio has been a positive move for both the Spurs and DeRozan himself. He has been able to reach new heights on the court, while also becoming a leader off it. It is clear that the trade has been beneficial to both DeRozan and his new team, and it will be exciting to see what else he can accomplish with the Spurs in the future.

To Recap

From Lowry’s statements, it is clear that he and DeRozan are still friends and maintain a strong relationship despite the trade. This is great news for basketball fans who were worried that the two wouldn’t stay in touch.

While it’s unlikely that they will ever be teammates again, it’s comforting to know that their friendship remains strong.

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Morgan Wolf

Journalist with experience covering the intersection of sports with business. Demonstrated expertise in digital, video and social media content covering major sports including soccer, NBA, NFL, MLB, tennis and Olympic sports. But basketball is his passion. Specialties: expert for sports related content management LinkedIn

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