NBA History: 5 Greatest Toronto Raptors players since 2010

#2 DeMar DeRozan (Small Forward/Shooting Guard)

Toronto Raptors v Chicago Bulls

His tenure as a Raptors' star ended unceremoniously. The fans will recall his late third quarter benching in Game 3 of the 2nd round 2018 NBA playoffs series sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It ultimately cost Dwane Casey his head coaching job with the Raptors and it meant when a star like Kawhi Leonard became available in the off-season, DeRozan was sacrificed to improve the team.

Up until DeRozan’s departure via trade, he was unquestionably the second or third best player the Raptors had behind the likes of Vince Carter and Chris Bosh. DeRozan represented the Raptors four times at the All-Star game and to this day is the team’s leader in games played (675), minutes (22,986), field goal attempts and makes, as well as free-throw attempts and makes. He is third all-time as a Raptor with 19.7ppg.

The Raptors offense was a one-two punch combination of isolation plays featuring DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry until the end of the 2018 season.

The two players were best friends and that chemistry translated in the Raptors being an Eastern Conference Championship contender for five straight years.