DeMar DeRozan Latest News: Star Gets 1-on-1 Practice with Gregg Popovich at Team USA Minicamp, Relationship with Raptors President 'Done'

DeMar DeRozan is one of the National Basketball Association (NBA) athletes who attended the two-day Team USA Minicamp. There, he got the chance to get his first one-on-one practice with his new coach, Gregg Popovich.

Meanwhile, the shooting guard’s sudden trade from the Toronto Raptors to the San Antonio Spurs was obviously a tough pill to swallow for him. In a recent interview, DeRozan candidly said he thinks his relationship with Raptors president Masai Ujiri is “done.”

At the minicamp, DeMar DeRozan got the chance to train shortly and closely with his new Spurs head coach. Several videos (like the one above, courtesy of The Athletic LA reporter Jovan Buha) are making the rounds online where Popovich is seen giving DeRozan 1-on-1 tips, particularly with his posting game.

DeMar DeRozan thinks having the experience to be coached by Gregg Popovich is one big consolation from getting traded to the San Antonio Spurs. ''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 said in an interview.

The said minicamp, ending this Friday, is held in Las Vegas. Though Team USA is yet to get an official slot in any international basketball competition, the annual minicamp became a tradition to maintain the bond among the players and the coaching staff.

This year’s minicamp is also extra special. It is somehow the turning over of Team USA to its new head coach, Gregg Popovich, from the 10-year national team coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan is still obviously upset with how his blockbuster trade went down. When asked whether or not he has talked to Raptors president Masai Ujiri since moving to the Spurs, DeRozan replied by saying he thinks their relationship is “done.”

DeRozan, along with Jakob Poeltl plus a protected 2019 first round draft pick, was traded to the Spurs last July 18. In exchange, the Raptors got Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green.

DeRozan maintains that he understands the business behind the NBA. However, he insisted that not getting the memo before the trade deal was done is what frustrates him.

“I mean, when you use the word ‘family,’ ‘brother’ or whatever, things other people use lightly ... for me ... I stick by that term,” DeMar DeRozan elaborated in an interview with ESPN. “So whether it's something I like or don't like, I'm going to accept it if you come to me and let me know beforehand. But don't make one thing seem like another thing and catch me off-guard and do something else. That was my whole problem.”