DeMar DeRozan recently opened up about the emotional challenges of balancing family life with the demands of an NBA career, sharing a poignant reflection on how modern technology like FaceTime helps him stay connected with his loved ones. On his podcast Dinners with DeMar, featuring guest Chris Paul, DeRozan discussed the hardships he faced after being traded from the Toronto Raptors in 2018—a move that separated him from his children.
“I feel that like and even that moment when we had that talk, I don’t even think I told you like, I even left from that knowing like I wasn’t alone going through that same thing you know what I mean because when I left Toronto it was like you know this first time, not having my kids with me.”
“It was like my decompress-like vibe, I could go home and just like hold my daughter and watch them play, watch them laugh and you know if it’s a bad game. I’m going home to you know, crickets.”
“It was such a challenge to where it was like I couldn’t imagine playing in the f***ing 90s without Facetime or something, at least you know what I mean. I’m so adamant. Like, my kids know, before school, you call me, Facetime me.”
“When you get out of school, call me. I need to hear about your whole day. Before bed, everything. And that’s kind of a thing that keeps me going.”
“It gets harder, you know we had to same conversation as they get older, want to be there for him more and more but you know like you said without having that family aspect to look forward to like, I think I would have been like walked away from all this because you know, I get rough bro like this s**t get hard man.”
DeRozan emphasized how vital daily FaceTime calls with his daughters have become to his mental well-being. The six-time All-Star recounted the struggle of leaving Toronto, where he had built a home and family life, for San Antonio.
Being away from his daughters, now aged 11 and 8, was particularly difficult. DeRozan shared a specific moment of heartbreak when he missed his younger daughter’s school dance, with another parent stepping in as her chaperone. These sacrifices, he explained, can take a mental toll.
Chris Paul, also a father of two, resonated deeply with DeRozan’s experience. Paul recalled moving 15 family members to Houston when he was traded from the Clippers, underscoring how integral family is to his own mental stability.
Both players highlighted the isolation that comes with an NBA career, particularly during tough seasons or transitions. DeRozan reflected on his darker moments, explaining how those family connections are what kept him going.
Beyond sharing his personal struggles, DeRozan has been a vocal advocate for mental health in the NBA. In 2018, he tweeted about his feelings of depression, becoming one of the first professional athletes to openly address mental health issues. His candor inspired others, including NBA champion Kevin Love, to share their own experiences with anxiety and panic attacks.
This episode of Dinners with DeMar underscores the human side of professional athletes, highlighting the emotional sacrifices they make and the importance of family and mental well-being. Both DeRozan and Paul hope their transparency encourages younger players to prioritize their mental health as they navigate the pressures of the league.
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