USA Basketball is sending one of its most decorated teams in history to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
That team does not include this year's NBA Finals MVP — Jaylen Brown.
Brown's omission from the roster didn't strike a chord when the team was announced in April, but his absence became more glaring as the 2024 NBA Playoffs continued. He went on to win Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP, leading the Celtics to their first championship since 2008.
When Team USA reported to training camp in Las Vegas, it felt odd that one of the league's best two-way players entering his prime was not included.
It was even more odd when Brown was passed on a second time after star forward Kawhi Leonard withdrew due to a knee injury. Instead of Brown, USA Basketball selected his Celtics teammate, Derrick White.
Why was Brown left off Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics? The Sporting News breaks down the situation below.
Why Jaylen Brown is not playing for Team USA
Brown expressed his frustrations on social media, sending a cryptic post on X before taking a shot at Nike, the official apparel brand of the United States at the Olympics.
Before the start of the 2023-24 season, Brown stated that he wanted to play for Team USA in Paris.
"Playing for USA Basketball, I think there is no greater honor. ... Being able to participate would be very cool," he said in October.
It was clear the Celtics star felt blacklisted due to his ongoing conflict with Nike.
The next day, USA Basketball managing director Hill indirectly addressed his decision to leave Brown off the roster.
"You've got 12 spots. You have to build a team and one of the hardest things is leaving people off the roster that I'm a fan of… Guys who've been Finals MVPs, guys who've been a part of the program, guys who've won gold medals, guys who I respect, admire and enjoy watching," Hill told the media.
"But the responsibility that I have is to put together a team and a team that complements each other, a team that fits a team that will give us the best opportunity for success."
Again, without addressing Brown directly, Hill re-iterated that USA Basketball's decisions were purely motivated by on-court fit.
"Whatever theories that might be out there, they're just that. I'm trying to win and I'm trying to put together the right pieces that fit and give us a chance to win."
That saga was put on hold for a few days until Hill appeared on "The Dan Patrick Show" and, once again, explained USA Basketball's thought process on replacing Leonard. He struck a chord with Brown, calling his accusations a "conspiracy theory."
Brown responded back on the morning of Team USA's first game at the Olympics, expressing his disappointment for Hill's accusation because of his long-time standing as a vice president of the NBA Player Association.
grant hill calling me a conspiracy theorist is disappointing I’ve been a VP since I was 21 years old I have a great understanding
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 28, 2024
This does not seem like the last we'll hear from Hill, Brown or USA Basketball on the situation.
