vbmeer wrote:If the franchise values Derozan as being worthy of a jersey retirement, they also valued Kawhi more than Derozan in admittingly trading Demar and however many years he would continue to be in the franchise + other stuff just for the risk of Kawhi leaving after a year because they knew Derozan`s value to the franchise wasn't worth more than that chance.
Kawhi put in the greatest playoff run of any Raptors franchise player, and it wasn't close. If you retire Demar's number, Kawhi has to go up as well at some point.
So 9 years of work (the longest ever for a Raptors player, breaking almost every Raptors scoring record, and helping the Raptors become a perennial contender afters years of mediocrity or terrible play means nothing?
He shouldn't be recognized for that?
Look at other teams that have retired jerseys and tell me Demar doesn't deserve it. I mentioned players below that you can make an argument that Demar has been more successful and helped his team more (probably only Reggie Miller, Webber, and Price have a stronger case).
Cavaliers - Ilgauskus, Nance, Price, Daughtery,
Mavericks - Harper, Davis, Blackman
Nuggets - English, Lever, Thompson, Beck, Mutumbo
Warriors - Mullen
Pacers - Miller
Grizzlies - Tony Allen, Z. Randolph
Heat - Tim Hardaway
Suns - Majerle
Portland - Hollins, Porter
Kings - Richmond, Webber, Peja, Vlade
Spurs - Bowen, Avery Johnson, Sean Elliot
Jazz - Hornacek, Eaton
https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/retired-numbersNot retiring Demar's number because Kawhi got us a chip is ridiculous. Kawhi winning it doesn't take away what Demar did for this franchise.