Gilbert Arenas recently shared insights into what transpired between Kawhi Leonard and Team USA, leading to Leonard’s withdrawal from the Olympic roster. According to Arenas, the situation wasn’t as straightforward as initially portrayed.
“Grant Hill’s speech said Kawhi got cut. When you heard Grant Hill speak, it didn’t sound like Kawhi decided to leave. It sounded like, ‘Yeah, we decided to go in a different way.'”
“Come on, man. If they really thought it was a concern while he was working out for all those weeks, they would have said it right then and there. They would have said, ‘We don’t want him playing, we don’t want him going.’ So, it wasn’t them, it was you. He’s just not a good fit.” (0:50)
He emphasized that if there had been significant concerns about Leonard’s health, Team USA would have addressed them during the weeks Leonard was practicing with the team. Instead, Arenas believes the decision was more about fit than fitness.
This perspective contrasts sharply with the official narrative from USA Basketball. Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank expressed deep disappointment over Team USA’s decision to remove Leonard from the roster.
Frank stated that it was entirely USA Basketball’s call and that the Clippers had no part in it. He reiterated that both the Clippers and Leonard were eager for him to participate in the Olympics.
The official statement from USA Basketball cited Leonard’s “best interest” as the reason for his removal. However, this has been met with skepticism from both Leonard’s camp and observers like Arenas. Leonard had been ramping up for the Olympics and had several strong practices, indicating his readiness to compete.
Grant Hill, USA Basketball’s managing director, mentioned that the decision to move away from Leonard was a necessary pivot and that everyone involved made a valiant effort to include him. However, this explanation has not satisfied everyone, especially given Leonard’s apparent readiness and commitment to the team.
Frank, who observed Leonard during the early practices, thought Leonard looked “very good” and was a full participant in everything. The decision to cut Leonard came after a third practice session that Frank did not attend, which only added to the confusion and frustration.
The Clippers remain supportive of Team USA and its mission, but the decision to exclude Leonard has left a bitter taste. While Team USA continues its journey in the Olympics, Leonard will focus on preparing for the upcoming NBA season, a situation that, according to Arenas, is more about fit and team dynamics than injury concerns.
It Was A Massive Mistake To Include Kawhi Leonard In The First Place
The inclusion of Kawhi Leonard in Team USA’s Olympic roster was a significant oversight by all parties involved—Team USA, the Los Angeles Clippers, and Leonard himself. Given Leonard’s extensive injury history, it was imprudent for Team USA to consider him for the Olympics, an event that would add considerable strain and additional games to his already burdened schedule.
Team USA should have prioritized selecting players with more reliable health records to avoid the potential risk of injury that Leonard presents. The extra basketball could be detrimental to a player like Leonard, who has missed substantial time due to injuries. This decision not only risked Leonard’s health but also jeopardized Team USA’s stability and continuity by including a player with such a precarious availability.
The Clippers, too, bear responsibility for allowing Leonard to get involved in the Olympic pool. Given Leonard’s importance to their championship aspirations and his recurring health issues, the Clippers should have prioritized his rest and rehabilitation over the summer.
Leonard’s health has been the pivotal factor in the Clippers’ inability to secure a title during his tenure. A consistently healthy Leonard would have undoubtedly made the Clippers perennial title contenders.
Leonard himself must also shoulder some blame. He is acutely aware of his injury history and the numerous games he has missed. By opting to join the Olympic roster, Leonard subjected himself to an extended season and additional games, which could exacerbate his injury woes. It was a decision that seemed counterintuitive for a player with his injury record.
Over his first four years with the Clippers, Leonard has averaged just 40.3 games per season. His availability has been sporadic, with notable absences in critical playoff moments. In the 2019-20 season, he missed 15 out of 72 regular-season games but played all playoff games.
The following season, he missed 20 out of 72 regular-season games and 8 out of 19 playoff games. The 2021-22 season saw Leonard missing all 82 regular-season games and one playoff game due to injury. In 2022-23, he missed 30 out of 82 regular-season games and 3 out of 5 playoff games. In the most recent season, 2023-24, Leonard missed 14 out of 82 regular-season games and 4 out of 6 playoff games.
These statistics highlight the recurring issue of Leonard’s availability and its impact on team performance. Leonard has missed 53% of playoff games over the last five years, underscoring the risk associated with his participation in an event like the Olympics. This entire episode was a collective misjudgment, risking Leonard’s health and both Team USA’s and the Clippers’ future prospects.
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