Kawhi Leonard was replaced on Team USA by former Spurs’ teammate Derrick White for unspecified reasons during the USA training camp in Las Vegas. Many speculated that Leonard was dropping out due to injury, and it was a decision made by the USAB, Kawhi, and the Clippers. Clippers GM Lawrence Frank has shared his take on the situation, saying he is disappointed in the decision to replace Kawhi.
“It was USAB’s call, and I was, quite frankly, very disappointed with the decision. Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play.”
Frank, who addressed reporters in Las Vegas during Summer League, said that he thought Kawhi looked great through the first two team practices, where the two-time Finals MVP was fully involved. But the third practice, one that Frank didn’t attend, was what led to the decision.
“I was there the first two practices. He looked very good, and was a full participant in everything that they did. I wasn’t there for the third practice, where ultimately, that was the point where they decided to go in a different direction. I expressed then, I really wished that they would have given Kawhi more time.”
Frank said he understood that USAB intends to act in the best interests of the team, but couldn’t hide his and Kawhi’s disappointment in the decision.
“I understand USAB’s perspective that they have to look at what they feel is in the best interest of the team, despite what I think. They’re also managing some other players who are dealing with injuries, so, I understand that they have to do what’s best. … You have to move forward. We support USAB and desperately want to see them win the Gold medal. I know that’s how Kawhi feels, too.”
Lawrence Frank said it was Team USA’s decision for Kawhi Leonard to not compete in the Olympics.
Frank was very disappointed in the decision, and thought Kawhi looked great. pic.twitter.com/8FT9feL73i
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) July 15, 2024
Kawhi averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last season, but would miss 12 out of their last 14 games due to a mysterious knee injury. He’d go on to miss four out of the six Playoff games the Clippers played in a six-game loss to the Mavericks in the first round.
Everyone has been speculating over Kawhi’s health, but this doesn’t look like a health issue at this point. If Kawhi wasn’t healthy enough to participate, the Clippers wouldn’t want to him to play Olympic basketball either. The six-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection is expected to participate in the Clippers’ training camp for the 2024-25 season without issue in September.
Hopefully, more clarification will be provided on the situation as USA Basketball prepares to face Serbia in a friendly on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.
Team USA has won both their exhibitions of the 2024 Olympics cycle so far, emerging victorious over Canada (86-72) in Las Vegas before beating Australia (98-92) in Abu Dhabi last night.
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