Kyle Lowry continues to open up about this offseason's blockbuster trade that saw the Toronto Raptors trade DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard.
In an interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols this week, Lowry revealed that he found out about the trade from DeRozan, who called him at 2:30 in the morning to break the news. Lowry didn't know what to say at the time and told Nichols that he initially felt betrayed by the trade because, in Lowry's words, "[DeRozan] felt betrayed."
"I felt betrayed because he felt betrayed because that's my guy, that's my best friend," Lowry said. "So yeah, I felt some type of way on the personal side. It's a harsh business — it's a great business — but sometimes moves are made that you're like, 'Wow, that sucks.' It's very complicated."
The Raptors finished last season with the best record in franchise history, but they came up short again in the postseason against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rather than run it back with the same team, Toronto took the risk in trading their all-time leading scorer for someone who appeared in only nine games the season prior due to injury and has the option in his contract to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
The trade has worked out for the Raptors so far, as they currently have the best record (20-5) in the NBA. Lowry is having one of the best seasons of his career and Leonard looks like an MVP candidate again, averaging 25.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
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Even so, Lowry had a short response when Nichols asked him about his relationship with Raptors president Masai Ujiri.
"He's the president of the basketball operations and that's it. For me, I come here and do my job."