Toronto Raptors fans went off on social media after the Toronto Sun posted that the Toronto Raptors are not giving championship rings to long-time big man Jonas Valanciunas, and guards Delon Wright and CJ Miles. Fans consider the three as part of the team that won the NBA championship last year.
Valanciunas, Wright, and Miles were part of the package deal that was sent to the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire veteran center Marc Gasol per NBA reports during the trade deadline. The Lithuanian big man, drafted fifth overall in 2011 draft, was recovering from an injury when the trade was being discussed.
Wright and Miles were part of the team since being drafted in 2015 and off free agency in 2017, respectively. After spending the rest of the season with the Grizzlies, the 6-foot-5 Wright now plays with the Dallas Mavericks while the 32-year old Miles was then shipped to Washington Wizards for Dwight Howard.
Toronto Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster said that it was a hard decision to make and is also aware of the Anderson Varejao situation. I think they had to waive him for a roster reason. I don’t think they wanted to trade him. I forget but it was a little bit different. We obviously thought about it but at the end of the day, it’s who was on the court on June 13th,” said Webster.
"They made a decision. It’s OK, right? I’m thinking about Grizzlies now, right?”, said Valanciunas when asked about the news. He previously talked about it during FIBA World Cup in China, saying that Kyle Lowry contacted him about his ring size.
Fans are expressing their mixed reactions about the decision by the management not to hand the players who were part of the team.
wait why does everybody want Jonas Valanciunas to get a ring??! He got traded lol.... we TRADED him for a BETTER player who helped us win the ring. Sorry JV decent regular season players don’t get rings
— h_ngman (@phatronaldo) November 18, 2019
Jonas Valanciunas was asked about the report about the Raptors declining to make a championship ring for him: “It’s their decision. It’s ok, right? I’m thinking about the Grizzlies now”
— Offseason O (@omarisankofa) November 18, 2019
Disappointed that Toronto Raptors didn't see fit to give Jonas Valanciunas a championship ring. He helped them get to where they were and was a good teammate.
— Stephen Whitzman (@StephenWhitzman) November 18, 2019
The ONLY reason Jonas Valanciunas isn't getting a ring is because Draymond Green broke his thumb last December. Otherwise, I don't think the Gasol trade happens and I think he's on the roster.
— Anthony Doyle (@Anthonysmdoyle) November 17, 2019
That just sucks. I'm really grumpy with MLSE over this one.
Imagine this: you play SIX-AND-A-HALF seasons for your team, and you don’t get a ring when you get traded mid-season. You look back and remember Varejao getting a ring for that 14-game stint in 16-17.
— Mavs Network (@MavsNetwork) November 18, 2019
Thank you for playing Jonas Valančiūnas Simulator 2k19™️
Horrid decision making by the Raps
— Big Kris (@KingCobra300) November 17, 2019
This team is giving Drake a ring, and he’s never scored a point for the Raptors in his life. Do the right thing and get these guys some jewelry
— M̶A̶I̶ ‘NA JOYA (@YosefPiperno) November 17, 2019
Raptors won't give Valanciunas, Wright and Miles championship rings https://t.co/gpY3nyg03w pic.twitter.com/o0aIAwAAev
— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) November 17, 2019
That's brutal! Superfan gets one but 3 players that actually played on the team part of the season don't? Classless by the @Raptors IMO.?
— Down With The King (@Down_With_ElRey) November 17, 2019
So superfan nav gets one for cheering on the sidelines but the players who helped get the seed they had for playoffs dont???
— Marc Palermo (@marcpalermo8) November 18, 2019
As for the other players, Jeremy Lin and Jordan Loyd, both playing outside the NBA, will be presented with their championship rings when time allows it. Lin is currently the star in the CBA playing for the Beijing Ducks and Loyd is playing in Spain for Valencia. The management will also give the rings to Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, who both found themselves on both teams in Los Angeles.
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