Drake’s Inner Circle Is Publicly Against DeMar DeRozan Coming Back to Toronto

DeMar DeRozan’s phone won’t stop buzzing. After getting waived by the Sacramento Kings, the six-time All-Star has drawn interest from multiple teams. His old squad, the Toronto Raptors, is reportedly mulling a reunion. But not everyone in the city’s orbit is on board.

Chubbs, Drake’s longtime bodyguard, and Preme, a rapper-producer who runs in the same circles, both commented on an Instagram post about DeRozan’s possible return and made their feelings clear: they don’t want it. NBA Central caught the exchange and shared it. The reaction was immediate.

Drake and DeRozan used to be tight. Real tight. But that relationship went sideways last year when DeRozan sided with Kendrick Lamar during their very public, very heated rap beef. DeRozan even showed up in Lamar’s diss track video for “Not Like Us,” which was aimed directly at Drake. That didn’t sit well with Drake’s camp, and apparently the grudge is still alive.

The Compton Connection Complicates Things

DeRozan and Lamar grew up in the same part of Los Angeles. Compton runs deep in both of them. For DeRozan, loyalty is the whole deal. When Lamar called, he answered. It’s that simple. But in Toronto, where Drake is basically royalty, that choice came with consequences.

DeRozan is a Raptors legend. He spent nine seasons there, paired with Kyle Lowry, and dragged the franchise out of irrelevance. They made the playoffs year after year. Then Masai Ujiri traded him to San Antonio in 2018 for Kawhi Leonard, and the Raptors won a title the next season. That had to sting. But time heals most wounds, and fans have wanted to see him back in a Raptors uniform ever since.

Where Else Could He Land?

The Raptors aren’t the only team in the mix. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat have both been linked to DeRozan. There’s also the Los Angeles Clippers, a team he’s talked about wanting to play for since he grew up in the area. The Lakers, though, apparently aren’t interested.

At 36, DeRozan still has game. He averaged 24 points last season and can create his own shot in ways most guys his age can’t. He’s not the defender he used to be, but offensively, he’s still a problem.

A return to Toronto would be a full-circle moment. Poetic, even. But whether it happens depends on more than just basketball. It depends on whether Drake and his people can move past old beef. And right now, that looks like a long shot.