DeRozan eager to work with Popovich

LAS VEGAS (AP):

Kyle Lowry had the ball in the right corner. He was well-defended and not able to shoot or drive, so he fired a crosscourt diagonal pass to DeMar DeRozan.

For years, that was a fine idea.

This time, it became a turnover. They were on different teams during this particular scrimmage, which seems fitting.

USA Basketball's first minicamp of this Olympic cycle started Thursday in Las Vegas, with DeRozan and Lowry longtime teammates in Toronto both wearing the same uniform again. DeRozan is now with the San Antonio Spurs and set to be coached by Gregg Popovich, who just happened to be running his first national team practice Thursday.

DeRozan has made no secret: He wasn't happy getting traded out of Toronto. But if there's a consolation prize to be had, it's that he now gets Popovich.

"It means everything," DeRozan said. "I could have ended up in the middle of nowhere with Joe Blow. I ended up in a great place that wanted me that strives for greatness. You can't ask for nothing better than that."

DeRozan was sent to the Spurs on July 18, along with centre Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first round pick, for Kawhi Leonard and wing Danny Green. Leonard was one of the 35 players invited to attend this minicamp; he was one of roughly a dozen who didn't show, a list that also includes LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Popovich didn't seem bothered that there were no-shows.

"People have lives," Popovich said. "We had a good number of people here and the people who were invited that aren't here have reasons, whether it's injury or personal things going on in their lives. And we understand that."