Kawhi Leonard will not participate in the next Olympic Games in Paris for the American team, which replaced the LA Clippers forward with Boston Celtics guard Derrick White.
In a statement released Wednesday, USA Basketball said Leonard’s decision was influenced by the Clippers and U. S. officials. After observing the educational camp in Las Vegas for the past three days.
This would have been the first Olympic for Leonard, who missed 12 of the Clippers’ final 14 games last season due to right knee inflammation.
Clippers coach Ty Lue is part of Team USA’s training staff. Clippers representatives, including team president Lawrence Frank, attended practices at UNLV this week.
“Kawhi has been preparing for the Olympics for the past few weeks and has received a smart education in Las Vegas. He felt fit to compete,” USA Basketball said. “However, he respects the fact that USA Basketball and the Clippers have decided that the most productive thing for him is to spend the rest of the summer preparing for next season rather than competing in the Paris Olympics. “
White, who recently signed a four-year, $126 million extension, played for the U. S. team. He averaged 15. 2 assists and 5. 2 assists for the NBA champion Celtics last season.
“I must announce that Derrick will be competing in his first Olympics after a championship season in Boston,” said Grant Hill, general manager of USA Basketball. “We look forward to him joining the team in the coming days as we continue arrangements for Paris.
“I need to thank Kawhi for his commitment to the United States Men’s National Team. He earned the opportunity to constitute the United States, but the leadership of USA Basketball and the Clippers felt it was vital to allow Kawhi to prepare for the NBA season. “
Leonard said he had been nursing his knee for more than two months and wasn’t sure he would be able to play until two weeks ago, when he showed improvement.
“I took the time and controlled myself to recover over the last few weeks,” Leonard said Sunday. “So I’m here now and yes, I’m having a good time. “
Leonard said Tuesday that he planned to play the U. S. team’s first exhibition match. He called on the U. S. team Wednesday night against Canada’s team, but said his knee was in a “neutral” condition.
White may not be with the team Wednesday night, but he is expected to sign up for the U. S. team this weekend in Abu Dhabi, the first of two stops overseas for more games and education before arriving in France for the Olympic Games.
NBA teams don’t have the ability to prevent contract players from betting for their national groups, it usually ends up being a mutual decision. Canada’s general manager, Rowan Barrett, said two weeks ago that the Golden State Warriors are holding Andrew Wiggins off the roster. Olympics, even though the team said it was a mutual decision.
The U. S. team is also dealing with an injury to forward Kevin Durant, who was unable to participate in touch practice due to a calf strain and will not play Wednesday night.
Leonard, who will sign a three-year, $150 million contract with the Clippers, was unable to finish the last two playoffs due to right knee injuries. The two-time NBA champion and six-time All-NBA player has missed 256 regular-season games over the past seven years, including the entire 2021-22 season, due to knee issues. He played 68 games last season for the Clippers, his most since he played 74 with San Antonio in the 2016-17 season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.