Kyle Lowry Criticized DeMar DeRozan's 'Defensive Ineptitude' Against Cavaliers: Report

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan did not always see eye-to-eye when they were teammates at the Toronto Raptors before the latter's move.

DeRozan was traded by the Raptors to the San Antonio Spurs in a package along with Jakob Pöltl and a protected 2019 first round draft pick for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green earlier this month.

The trade brought an end to the DeRozan-Lowry partnership that saw the duo help Toronto finish as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last year.

Despite their good regular season run, the Raptors were not able to test their nemesis in LeBron James, who led a poor Cleveland Cavaliers side to sweep the Toronto side in the second round of the playoffs, and for the second year in a row.

Following DeRozan's shock trade to the Spurs, Raptors president Masai Ujiri claimed he took a chance on the team to change their fortunes, especially when a player of Leonard's ability becomes available on the market.

And while Lowry is still naturally friends with DeRozan, he may not be as angered about the trade as many others, according to Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star.

"Sure, they’re friends. But it’s important not to forget that they’ve butted heads professionally," Feschuk wrote. "A little more than a year ago, after the Raptors were ousted by the Cavaliers in the 2017 playoffs, the duo’s connection was as frayed as it’s ever been. DeRozan expressed displeasure that Lowry sat out the final two games of the sweep, essentially calling into question the severity of the point guard’s ankle injury."

"Lowry apparently didn’t appreciate the insinuation. There were suggestions within the organization that something wasn’t right in the locker room. Whatever the various problems, peace talks were arranged. Then-coach Dwane Casey presided over a Bay Area meeting around the NBA final that brought together DeRozan and Lowry for an airing of grievances, an important step on the road to Lowry signing a three-year extension worth about $100 million."

"The internal finger-pointing hardly stopped there. Sources say in the wake of this year’s sweep by the Cavaliers, Lowry added his voice to an organizational chorus critical of DeRozan’s defensive ineptitude, the worst of which saw him benched for the fourth quarter of Game 3."

Lowry and DeRozan were together with Team USA Basketball during their three-day minicamp last week in preparation for the inaugural FIBA Basketball World Cup next year.

Whenever Lowry was asked by media about the DeRozan trade, he notably dodged the question.

"It’s been a great week for USA Basketball for me," Lowry said. "Being out here with these guys and hanging out and getting to talk and hang out with these guys and hanging out with DeMar and all those guys, it’s been fun... Summer has been great in general for everyone. Just to have the opportunity to relax and work on your game and prepare for the upcoming season."