As they set to construct a roster over the past two months, the rules outlined for the Tokyo Olympics were revealed to be almost as restrictive as the restarted 2019-20 NBA season: no family or friends, confinement mostly to housing areas when not practicing or playing, no restaurants or night life.
Lillard is still bitter about what happened in 2014 when he was the final cut before Team USA went to Spain for the World Cup, sources said.
Lillard felt he had secured a spot on the roster that year after talking to then-head coach Mike Krzyzewski, but the team pivoted and kept an extra center.
So was getting Kevin Durant, who was also one of the first on board.
“I met Kevin in 2007 at the Final Four after his freshman year at Texas and I told him I wanted him to come to our training camp that summer,” Colangelo said.
Lillard and Durant began working alongside Popovich and Colangelo in recruiting players and consulting on how the roster would be put together, sources said.
Also early to commit was Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, who had a conflict with a family wedding but pledged to go to his first Olympics.
Lillard was also in communication with Boston Celtics wing Jayson Tatum, who put off his decision on Team USA for some time after the season ended to evaluate his offseason priorities.
Colangelo said Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker was also one of the first to say yes, even though his team is in the playoffs and the anticipated deep run and Tokyo trip would further compress his summer.
Team director Ford kept in constant communication with agents.
One of the players Popovich reached out to was Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, who has played only 103 games over the past three seasons due to various injuries.
Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant has been working out daily at a facility in his hometown of Washington, D.C., and eagerly wanted to make the roster.
Colangelo called Wednesday morning with the official offer, which Grant immediately accepted.
A factor in the choice was Durant and Lillard lobbying Popovich on Grant’s behalf, sources said.