Spurs' DeMar DeRozan sides with star players demanding trades

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SAN ANTONIO - Even though Kawhi Leonard demanding a trade last year resulted in him leaving his beloved Toronto, DeMar DeRozan supports star players taking control of their careers with requests like the one Leonard made while estranged from the Spurs.

Other stars who have demanded trades in the last 18 months or so include Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Jimmy Butler and Anthony Davis.

"It's whatever you feel," DeRozan said before scoring 23 points and dishing out five assists in Saturday's 125-105 loss to the Utah Jazz.

DeRozan wanted to finish his career as the face of the Raptors franchise after nine seasons with the club. But Toronto sent him, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round draft pick to the Spurs last July in exchange for Leonard and Danny Green.

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San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks to get past Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and to the basket during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake City. Utah won 125-105. (AP Photo/Chris Nicoll) less San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan (10) looks to get past Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and to the basket during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Salt Lake ... more Photo: Chris Nicoll, Associated Press Photo: Chris Nicoll, Associated Press Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close Spurs' DeMar DeRozan sides with star players demanding trades 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

The trade was tough for DeRozan to accept. Still, he believes players should be in control of where they want to play.

"We all have the right, and if you feel that way, if you are not comfortable, if you want to go somewhere else that you feel you will be better off being at, go for it," DeRozan said. "I'm all for it. Nobody should feel enclosed to be at one place if they don't feel like it. I don't have a problem with it."

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich also is in favor of more player freedom, although he acknowledged last month the trend may have "deleterious" effects on the league.

"Having said all that, I still have to side with individuals doing what they want with the rest of their lives," Popovich said.

DeRozan echoed those comments.

"A normal person at a job, if they don't want to work at that job any more, they can easily put in their 30-day notice and go elsewhere if it's best for them," he said. "I don't see why we shouldn't be able to have that same right."