With Leonard gone, a new look for Popovich and the Spurs

SAN ANTONIO (AP) The most tumultuous offseason in the two decades of Gregg Popovich with the Spurs ended with the trade of star Kawhi Leonard in Toronto.

And Popovich says that he agrees with that. and Danny Green at the Toronto Raptors for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a 2019 first-round pick on Wednesday. It was clear that Leonard was ready to go despite years of success with Popovich and the Spurs.

"From his point of view, my main interest is certainly not to look back," said Popovich. "It's useless, I'm glad DeMar and Jakob join us, and from there it's where I'll focus."

Popovich was jovial and sincere in his work. addressing the media for the first time since his wife, Erin, died on April 18. Popovich has not coached the Spurs in the last three games of their defeat in the first round of the playoffs at Golden State [19659002] Popovich said that this offseason was "difficult" for him, but he did not restrain 69-year-old's desire to continue training.

"When I can Do not do it anymore or do not want to do it or people do not want to do it with me, so I'm going to stop doing it, but I'm fine, "he says.

Popovich will be coaching a crop of young talents invisible to San Antonio since the beginning of the Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili – a list the result of big changes

In addition to losing Leonard and Green, San Antonio also lost Parker and Kyle Anderson to the free agency. It was particularly difficult to lose Parker, who has formed a patriarchal bond with Popovich since the Spurs fished 19 years ago from France.

Parker signed a two-year contract with Charlotte after Popovich and Spurs general manager RC Buford informed the 36-year-old leader that his minutes would be limited in favor of younger players like Murray Dejounte, Derek White, Bryn Forbes and the first-round pick Lonnie Walker from Miami.

"It was really good for Tony," Popovich said. "He will have more play time, it will make him feel a bit younger, I think he's really excited to be in Charlotte and we have some young kids that we have to develop at Dejounte and Derek White and Bryn and so on. "

Led by LaMarcus Aldridge season and reached the playoffs for a 21st consecutive year. They did it despite the fact that they played without Leonard for nine games due to a quadriceps injury that the star striker suffered last year.

Popovich believes that this year's team will be more talented despite the losses of the offseason. I think we have maintained a very good level of excellence for a very long time, more than most, "said Popovich. "I hope it will continue and I am confident that it will happen with someone like DeMar and a young player like Jakob."

The Spurs were able to re-sign Rudy Gay and add former Spurs keeper Marco Belinelli. The negotiation for DeRozan and Poeltl continued with the team's mantra of short and long-term planning. DeRozan is signed for three more seasons and Poeltl was selected ninth by Toronto in the 2016 draft.

"I thought our team was doing incredibly good work by bringing quality players, quality people and in DeMar, a proven All-Star. "The Spurs hope that the addition of DeRozan and Walker as well as the continued development of Murray, White, Forbes and Davis Bertans with a healthier Gay will help"

"You have to shoot the basketball and DeMar the does well, "said Popovich." But the rest of the makeup of the team having Derek White grows, Bryn comes back, Rudy comes back, everyone can shoot him. The addition of Marco Belinelli is important, so these things end and help LaMarcus to do his thing there. This shot will help us a lot. "

An unknown factor is Ginobili.The veteran guardian of Argentina has a remaining year on his contract, but has not yet decided he will return.Popovich said that Ginobili" is continuing the bears in the Northwest "on holiday with his three young sons hoping to encourage the 40-year-old to come back, Popovich sent a picture of Ginobili in his early years, throwing himself on an opponent.

" He m & Returned a picture of me as in my first year here as an badistant, "Popovich said." I'm not sure what that meant. Like, "You're crazy, you're old, too."

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