DeMar DeRozan's heartfelt message to Toronto Raptors fans confirms the city remains his basketball home, even after a potential reunion this offseason did not materialize. The Denver Nuggets guard, who spent his first nine NBA seasons with the Raptors, made his feelings clear in a recent podcast appearance. His comments come as the current Raptors roster looks to build on a recent form of 3W-0D-2L, including a 114-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 3, 2026.
DeRozan left no doubt about his connection to the city and the franchise. "Yeah. This’ll always be home for me. 9 years of my career," DeRozan said on the Off the Roster podcast. He called Toronto the foundation of his career and his life. "This was my first home. This was the first everything for me. Nothing will ever replace that."
For him, the Raptors hold the top spot. "Everything that I created with all these guys that’s here, I had the opportunity to play with." The veteran's affection persists despite his trade in 2018 and subsequent moves to San Antonio, Chicago, and Sacramento. He signed a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets this offseason after rumors of a Raptors return surfaced.
His statistical impact is unmatched in franchise history. DeRozan is the Raptors' all-time leader in games played (675), minutes played (22,986), and total points (13,296). Drafted ninth overall in 2009, he evolved from a raw prospect into a four-time All-Star. He became the foundational piece for the most successful era the team had seen up to that point.
Alongside Kyle Lowry, he led the Raptors to five straight playoff appearances. Their peak was a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016. The trade that sent him to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard ultimately brought Toronto its first NBA championship in 2019. DeRozan's legacy is that of the star who built the contender, even if he wasn't there for the final triumph.
DeRozan is now focused on his 18th NBA season with the Nuggets. He inked a veteran minimum contract worth $3.9 million. Denver expects him to provide major scoring off the bench, filling a need after several roster moves. He also has a chance to chase his first NBA title alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the 2023 champions.
Meanwhile, the Raptors are handling their own path. The team's recent results against Cleveland show a competitive series, with wins on May 1 (112-110) and April 26 (93-89) alongside the recent loss. Fans can track the team's progress on our schedule page. DeRozan's retirement is now on his mind, though he's not dwelling on it.
The 18-year veteran is getting candid about the end of his career. "You definitely have those thoughts," DeRozan told reporters. "It’s just the reality of it." He explained it comes down to how long he wants to keep pushing himself physically and mentally for the game he loves.
He reflected on his longevity. "When I came in the league, I never would have imagined or thought I’d be playing that long." He called his career a blessing. For now, his goal is to leave everything on the court while he still can. His story with Toronto, however, is permanently written in the franchise record books.
