Kawhi Leonard’s handling of his knee surgery before the 2024 Paris Olympics has become yet another flashpoint in his already scrutinized tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers. According to a detailed report from ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, Leonard underwent a knee procedure in May 2024 but failed to disclose it to Team USA officials until late June, just weeks before training camp.
The revelation blindsided the program’s leadership, who had expected Leonard to be a central piece of the roster tasked with defending international superstars like Nikola Jokic.
Leonard was officially named to Team USA’s 12-man roster in April 2024, shortly after the Clippers’ playoff elimination. At that time, there were lingering concerns about his health, as he had missed the final stretch of the regular season and most of the postseason with right knee inflammation.
Nonetheless, Team USA penciled him in as a vital defensive weapon who could swing games against elite international bigs.
That confidence evaporated when officials learned of the undisclosed surgery two months after it took place. The lack of transparency frustrated staff members, who believed they had not been given the information needed to properly evaluate his readiness.
When training camp opened in July in Las Vegas, the gap between expectation and reality became even clearer. Multiple sources described Leonard as looking “slow and laboring” on the court.
Despite his visible limitations, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, serving as an assistant for Team USA under Steve Kerr, vouched for Leonard’s determination. Lue emphasized that Leonard knew his body and would pull himself out if unfit, but also stressed his player’s strong desire to represent his country.
Clippers president Lawrence Frank echoed those sentiments, though he dodged questions about whether Leonard had undergone any procedures in the months prior.
With the Olympics fast approaching and Leonard still not at full strength, the staff made the difficult decision to remove him from the roster. His replacement, Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, played a pivotal role in helping Team USA win the gold medal against host nation France.
While officials later admitted they regretted how the process unfolded, they believed Leonard’s camp had failed to be forthright about his surgery and recovery.
The episode added to a growing list of frustrations surrounding Leonard’s health and availability. Over the last five years, he has missed 191 games, more than two full seasons’ worth, the third-most of any NBA player in that span.
Combined with the ongoing investigations into his $28 million Aspiration sponsorship deal and other financial entanglements tied to the Clippers, the secrecy around his Olympic status reinforced a familiar pattern. Leonard’s career has long been defined not just by his two Finals MVPs and defensive dominance, but also by a veil of silence over his medical history and the strain it creates for the teams that rely on him.
For Team USA, Leonard’s absence ultimately didn’t derail their gold medal pursuit thanks to depth and versatility. But the situation highlighted the risks of building around a player whose health remains shrouded in mystery.
For Leonard and the Clippers, the incident was another reminder that his availability continues to cast a shadow over his legacy, no matter how brilliant his performances are when he’s actually on the floor.
