The 2024 Paris Olympics are underway, and the United States Men's National Team is in pursuit of its fifth consecutive gold medal.
This year's roster is among the best that USA Basketball has ever put together, bringing in a blend of established veterans like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, and the league's top young stars like Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum.
One player who originally made the final cut for Team USA's 12-man roster but will not be participating is Kawhi Leonard.
The superstar forward reported to training camp and went through a handful of practices before his lingering knee injury forced him to withdraw before the team's first showcase exhibition game — or so we were told by USA Basketball.
Celtics NBA champion Derrick White replaced Leonard on the roster. A few days later, Clippers president Lawrence Frank expressed his disappointment in USA Basketball's decision. Here's how the situation played out.
Why isn't Kawhi Leonard playing for Team USA at 2024 Paris Olympics?
USA Basketball posted an official release on Leonard's withdrawal, making the decision seem like it was a joint decision with Leonard's camp and the Clippers.
"Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas. He felt ready to compete. However, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers determined it's in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than participating in the Olympic Games in Paris," the statement read.
The release didn't catch many by surprise considering Leonard missed the last eight games of the 2023-24 regular season with a knee injury and only played in two of LA's six playoff games with "right knee inflammation."
Members of Leonard's camp "reached out to USA Basketball expressing concern," ESPN's Marc Spears reported after Leonard was sent home. He had been "battling chronic knee soreness and inflammation for months," according to The Athletic's Shams Charania and Joe Vardon.
Between USA Basketball's statement and those reports from reliable sources, the decision made sense to send Leonard home and replace him with an available body.
That was until Clippers president Frank spoke out against USA Basketball's choice a few days later.
Frank said the Clippers were "disappointed in USA Basketball's decision to pivot from Leonard," per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. He added that Leonard "looked good" in Team USA's practices and that "there was no setback."
Frank said he "understands" USA Basketball had to do what feels best for the program but Frank "felt Kawhi could play," per ESPN.
Even if Leonard is not with Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Clippers president believes the two-time Finals MVP will be ready for the start of 2024-25 training camp.
