Popovich Says He Won't "Look Back" on Trading Kawhi Leonard

After dealing Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich spoke to the media about his mindset in the wake of trading his star player away.

Popovich, who got back All-Star DeMar DeRozan and another player in the deal (which also sent Danny Green to Toronto), spoke to the media for 25 minutes and was open and honest.

During his remarks, Popovich said his “main interest is definitely not to look back” and that it was “time to move on” from Leonard’s time in San Antonio.

“With DeMar coming to San Antonio, I couldn’t be happier,” Popovich said. “I think this trade will be good for both teams. DeMar is a four-time All-Star, an All-NBA player, great in the community there, team player, somebody I have respected and watched play for a while now and we are thrilled to have him here.

More coach Pop on the Kawhi trade; praises Demar Derozan / Más coach Pop sobre el canjeo de Kawhi y alaba a Demar Derozan #spurs #GoSpursGo @Noticias60 @TelemundoSports pic.twitter.com/zcIpHzrDNm

— Luis Ortiz (@OrtizSportsTV) July 18, 2018

“Kawhi helped us win a fifth championship but it’s time to move on,” says coach Pop as he praises Leonard for his time as a #Spurs players / “Kawhi nos ayudo a ganar un quinto campeonato pero es hora de darle vuelta a la página,” declara Popovich @Noticias60 @TelemundoSports pic.twitter.com/anL8QpYqeG

— Luis Ortiz (@OrtizSportsTV) July 18, 2018

Popovich’s wife died during the NBA playoffs and he hasn’t spoken to the media since leaving the team to attend to that. He was asked how he feels after enduring so much hardship.

His response was vintage Pop.

“When you say that we have endured … this is basketball,” he said. “Enduring is pretty much a misnomer. Playing a child’s game and getting paid for it… enduring, just look at the TV and look at what is going on in the world. There are billions of people enduring. We are not enduring anything.”