Kawhi Leonard and DeMar DeRozan have never been teammates at the NBA level, but they will forever be linked from what will always be remembered as the biggest trade in Toronto Raptors history.
After years of strong regular season play with little postseason success, Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri shipped his franchise player for the NBA Finals MVP. Despite having just a year remaining on his contract, Leonard proved to be a steal for the Raps as he led the franchise to its first championship in franchise history while DeRozan and the Spurs suffered a first round exit.
After a dramatic offseason, Kawhi is now back in the West and faced DeMar for the first time as an LA Clipper. During the action, the two were caught embracing one another and it looks like there’s absolutely no hard feelings.
WHO. IS. CUTTING. ONIONS?!?!?!?! Also… did anyone else think Kawhi was in a Raptors jersey there for second…?
Both players stepped up to the plate BIG TIME in their first Western showdown. DeMar posted a cool 29 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists while Kawhi upped him with 38, 12 and 1 of his own. The Clippers came away with a 103-97 on home court.
These two are set to square off until at least through the 2020-21 season so we’re sure there will be more moments like this in the future.
(H/T Getty Images)
