I Am Toronto: Video, quotes, and more from DeRozan and Sullinger pressers

Raptors confirm the signings of Sully and DeRozan in front of media this morning

The signings of Jared Sullinger and DeMar DeRozan were made official today as both inked deals on different ends of the spectrum. While Sullinger’s one-year deal sees him earn $6 million, DeRozan signs on for another 5 years at $139 million. Both players were presented in front of media today at Real Sports Bar and Grill with Masai chiming in on the essential reasons the Raptors want both Sullinger and DeRozan part of the team next season, and in DeMar’s case, well beyond.

Jared Sullinger

Sullinger was presented first, and as Masai Ujiri presented his new signing, he reiterated that Sully ‘fills in two positions that are much needed’. Also important to note – despite what some thought – Sullinger could be the starting four next season. Even if he’s not a perfect stretch-four alongside JV, he can still shoot well enough from the mid-range and deep that he can keep teams concerned with his range, all the while being a really good rebounder on the defensive end. Taking into consideration that Patrick Patterson seems to excel off the bench more than he does as a starter, a depth chart which sees Patterson come off the bench for Sullinger makes enough sense.

The signing is as straightforward as can be. The Raptors acquire a low-risk / high-reward player at a position with a glaring hole, and as Matt Devlin pointed out in today’s presser, he’s capable of dropping 25 and 20 – just like he did against Toronto back in January of last season. In Masai’s words, the Raptors were lucky that Sullinger ‘fell into their lap’.

Yes, it was rather fortunate given how slim the pickings were at the four in the open market. Even if they can probably only hold on to Sullinger for one season, he’s a good plug the Raptors desperately need now with little cost attached to it.

When asked which player he’s most excited to played with, Sullinger half-jokingly said it was Valanciunas, and that he was ‘getting tired of his elbows’.

To provide another perspective of this deal – consider that Sullinger could’ve made more money elsewhere, but opted to come to Toronto. He mentioned that the Raptors were just two wins away from reaching the NBA Finals, and that this was a terrific opportunity to join a winning team.

Oh, and brother Amir may have had some influence too.

DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan’s presser was more emotional – understandably. Masai, in a heartfelt statement, spoke very highly about DeRozan’s dignity and development as a player over the course of his career. The fact that DeMar only held a meeting with Toronto and no one else was brought up as a specific example from Masai, who also noted that he met with DeMar at 9pm last night in his LA home – it was a deal which was done within 15 minutes.

Masai also pointed to DeMar’s family, calling them the Raptors’ own, and the general tone of the presser was that of high amicability between the two parties.

DeMar’s desire to leave behind a one-team legacy is genuine. He sees himself more alike to his predecessors Kobe Bryan and Tim Duncan, who came and left their NBA mark with one franchise – etching their names in the city forever. When asked when he knew he’d always play in Toronto, DeRozan said it was the day he was drafted back in ’09.

Here is the official statement on DeMar’s signing:

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