Star Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard will withdraw from Workforce USA’s roster forward of the Olympics in Paris, as reported by Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of The Athletic and later confirmed by Workforce USA.
USA Basketball intends to call a alternative for Leonard on the 12-team roster that can journey to Paris, with Celtics guard Derrick White thought of a powerful candidate, based on Charania and Vardon.
Leonard was sidelined on the finish of the 2023-24 season resulting from proper knee irritation. He missed the final eight video games of the common season and first recreation of the playoffs as a result of ailment, returned for Recreation 2 and Recreation 3 vs. Dallas, then sat out the ultimate three contests of the Clippers’ first-round loss.
After reporting to Workforce USA’s coaching camp, Leonard said over the weekend that his knee had improved in current weeks sufficient for him to play this summer time. Neither The Athletic’s report nor USA Basketball’s official statement on Leonard’s exit from the group particularly mentions that knee, however apparently the ahead’s well being is the motivating issue for the choice.
“Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the previous a number of weeks and had a number of sturdy practices in Las Vegas,” Workforce USA’s assertion reads. “He felt able to compete. Nonetheless, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers decided it’s in his greatest curiosity to spend the rest of the summer time getting ready for the upcoming season somewhat than taking part within the Olympic Video games in Paris.”
Whereas that assertion suggests the choice was made by the Clippers and Workforce USA, Marc J. Spears of Andscape hears from a supply that Leonard’s camp reached out a pair days in the past to USA Basketball to precise concern.
