Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Drake Takes Shot At DeMar DeRozan, Praises Kawhi Leonard In Leaked Track
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Toronto Raptors News & Analysis > Drake Takes Shot At DeMar DeRozan, Praises Kawhi Leonard In Leaked Track

Drake Takes Shot At DeMar DeRozan, Praises Kawhi Leonard In Leaked Track

Drake throws shade at DeMar DeRozan in leaked track: "Why did we think you could get us a ring?"

Nico Martinez
Sep 14, 2025
4 Min Read
Share

Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Drake may have just reignited some Raptors drama. In a recently leaked track, the Toronto rapper seemed to take aim at DeMar DeRozan, suggesting the team’s championship dreams were never realistic until Kawhi Leonard came along.

“When you was part of the team we used to be planning our Mexico trips in the spring, we must’ve been dealing in the spur of the moment, cause why (Kawhi) did we think you could get us a ring?” Drake rapped.

It’s no secret that Drake is a longtime Raptors fan, and he was sitting courtside during their only championship run in 2019. For years leading up to that season, the Raptors were routinely among the higher seeds in the East, and they even finished first in the standings in 2018.

Back then, their core consisted of Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Serge Ibaka, Norman Powell, and Pascal Siakam. They went 59-23 only to lose to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. That series wasn’t just bad for Toronto, it was an utter disaster that ended in a complete (and embarrassing) 4-0 sweep.

The good news is, it forced the Raptors to change course. They replaced Dwane Casey with Nick Nurse, but the bigger move was trading for Kawhi. At the time, Leonard was considered one of the best young stars in the NBA, and his previous championship with the Spurs gave the Raptors confidence that he’d lead them to a title.

It was a major risk to trade for Leonard, considering he only had one year left on his contract, but it paid off with the ultimate prize. That season, Kawhi led the Raptors to the second seed in the East, and his ability to defend, score, and close games was enough to win the Finals over the Golden State Warriors.

After years of playoff heartbreak, Kawhi gave the franchise what it never had and cemented his place as a hero of the city. While Kawhi left the team just a few weeks after his championship parade, his legacy remains as the only star to lead the Raptors to a title.

For someone like Drake, who was watching from the very beginning, it must have felt surreal to watch how much his team transformed over just a few years. While DeRozan tried his best, it’s clear looking back that he didn’t have what it took to overcome the challenge presented by LeBron James. Despite being an All-Star, DeMar wasn’t at the level the Raptors needed to get over the hump and end their championship drought. 

Kawhi Leonard was the answer, and his unexpected run in 2019 will remain ingrained in the hearts of Raptors fans forever. While DeRozan will always have a place in Toronto, many fans still associate his tenure with countless disappointing playoff losses.

Drake’s bar may sting for DeRozan, but it reflects a hard truth most Raptors fans already accepted. Toronto needed a different kind of star to reach the mountaintop, and Kawhi Leonard delivered. DeRozan’s legacy with the Raptors is secure as the face of an era, but it will always sit in Kawhi’s shadow because only one of them brought a championship to Canada.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:DeMar DerozanDrake - Global Ambassador for the Toronto RaptorsToronto Raptors Archive
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByNico Martinez
Follow:
Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
Previous Article Former Mavericks Coach Explains Why Luka Doncic Trade Pushed Him Out Of Dallas
Next Article Michael Porter Jr. Disheartened By Hateful Messages Over Instagram Story About Charlie Kirk’s Death
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Lakers forward LeBron James during media day at UCLA Health Training Center
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

LeBron James Sparks Massive Speculation With Tease Of ‘The Second Decision’ On October 7th

October 6, 2025
Grizzlies guard Ja Morant speaks to media during a press conference on media day at FedEx. Forum
Memphis Grizzlies News & Analysis

Grizzlies Lose 3 Key Players To Injury Just Weeks Before Season Start

October 6, 2025
San Francisco, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) smiles during Media Day at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
NBA News & Analysis

Four NBA Stars Among Top 20 Highest-Paid Athletes In The World

October 6, 2025
Lakers coach JJ Redick at press conference at UCLA Health Training Center
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Lakers Insider Sounds Alarm Over Team’s Defensive Issues In Preseason Struggles

October 6, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?