The drama surrounding star player Kawhi Leonard’s withdrawal has eclipsed the excitement over Team USA’s final roster position for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
After missing the majority of the 2024 NBA Playoffs due to a knee injury, Leonard recently was dropped from the Olympic squad, sparking discussions over the team roster and tactics. Selectors are under pressure to decide their roster with high stakes and increased scrutiny, and his absence adds another element of uncertainty.
Jaylen Brown expressed his displeasure at his exclusion from the team and criticized USA Basketball for selecting Celtics guard Derrick White to replace Kawhi Leonard.
The president of the Clippers is ‘disappointed’ in USA Basketball for sending Kawhi Leonard home.
Contrary to prior claims made by USA Basketball, Clippers CEO Lawrence Frank also voiced disappointment that Leonard was sent home before the Olympics.
Leonard’s withdrawal was announced by USA Basketball officially, giving the impression that the Clippers and the player made the choice together.
“Kawhi has been training hard for the Olympics over the last few weeks, especially in Las Vegas, where he had a couple of impressive sessions. He felt prepared to face off. But he accepts that USA Basketball and the Clippers decided it would be better for him to prepare for the next season for the rest of the summer rather than go to the Olympics in Paris,” the statement said..
The franchise is unhappy that USA Basketball decided to bench Leonard.
Clippers president Frank expressed his dismay that Leonard was dropped though he went through practice with Team USA without any problems.