Raptors’ Masai Ujiri still trying to repair relationship with DeMar DeRozan

It has been nearly two years since the Toronto Raptors made the blockbuster trade to acquire Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs. It was a package headlined by DeMar DeRozan.

In the time that has followed that entire matter, it has become quite clear that it put a massive strain on the relationship between DeRozan and Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri. It’s still a connection between the two that Ujiri is still trying to mend the fence as he voice during a recent interview with TNT’s Ernie Johnson. (H/T Tim Bontemps of ESPN)

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“DeMar, I was in the hotel in Kenya, and I walked around that hotel at 4 a.m., 5 a.m., for a couple hours, trying to gather up enough strength and courage to make this phone call. I will never forget it…

“With DeMar there is still plenty of work to be done. But, by the grace of God, it will all get better. We have to continue to make these decisions that are tough. But that’s the business of basketball, and the position that we are in.”

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It may be a hill that Ujiri may never able to get past as that trade blindsided DeRozan. The trade moved him away from Toronto. It was a city and franchise that he had garnered a great deal of love, respect, and admiration for.

At the same time, it was a decision that Ujiri had to make. Doing so enabled him to acquire one of the best players in the league. It was a risk that worked out tremendously in the short term. Leonard was the guiding force to pushing the franchise to their first NBA title.

The saying goes that time heals all wounds, but it’s hard to determine how long this situation will take to mend itself.