NBA notebook: Raptors' Lowry won't follow Leonard's path

[August 07, 2019]  All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry understands why Kawhi Leonard would leave for the Los Angeles Clippers, but the longtime leader of the Toronto Raptors has no desire to bolt Canada.

"I want to be there -- I would love to do a long extension, but we'll see what happens," Lowry said.

Lowry, 33, is in camp with Team USA but dealing with a left thumb injury. The right-handed shooter is still going through some workouts and could be available when competition begins. The FIBA World Cup is played in China next month.

Leonard spent only one season in Toronto but helped lead the Raptors to their first NBA title before exiting as a free agent.

--When San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich agreed to take over as head coach of USA Basketball for Mike Krzyzewski, many envisioned NBA superstar names such as Harden, Love, Lillard and Davis on the backs of the uniforms.

Those top-level NBA stars dropped off the Team USA roster and won't compete in the FIBA World Cup in China next month, but Popovich doesn't sound worried about his team.

"I've said that we're going to be fine and by that what I really meant is that we're blessed with a lot of depth in USA Basketball," he told reporters after a team practice in Las Vegas. "All of the players here want to be here, there's no question about it. And that's a big part of the battle itself."

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry holds the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy during Raptors victory parade celebration in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 17, 2019. REUTERS/Moe Doiron

--The Miami Heat re-signed forward Udonis Haslem, bringing him back for his 17th season with the club. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"UD is the heart and soul of Miami and we are proud to have him help lead this team once again," Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement.

Haslem, 39, has played his entire career in Miami since joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2003. Part of three NBA championship teams, Haslem has career averages of 7.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in 854 games, ranking as the Heat's all-time leader in rebounds. He is second in games played to Dwyane Wade, who was a rookie teammate in 2003.

--Field Level Media

[© 2019 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2019 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.