Who is replacing Kawhi Leonard on Team USA? Closer look as reports emerge
Kawhi Leonard withdrew himself from Team USA weeks before the start of the Paris Olympics. The LA Clippers star joined a star-studded roster to represent the country in the upcoming Summer Olympics. However, the Clippers and USA Basketball decided it was best for the player to not play in this competition.
"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," a statement shared today reads.
After the news saw the light, a strong candidate to replace Leonard was mentioned. Newly crowned NBA champion Derrick White was considered the favorite to replace the two-time Finals MVP. According to Marc J. Spears, USA Basketball is headed in that direction.
"Celtics guard Derrick White will be replacing Kawhi Leonard with USA Basketball, a source told @andscape," Spears reported.
The source for this information is anonymous, but given Leonard's history with injuries, perhaps this is about preventing him from getting hurt before next season.
Derrick White is coming off a terrific season. He became a key part of the Celtics' success, helping them reach their second NBA Finals in two years and the first championship in 16.
He had the best season of his career, averaging 15.2 points, 5.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. This great season earned him a four-year, $126 million extension with the C's.
When did Kawhi Leonard's camp express concerns about the player's health?
Added to his initial report, Spears provided information about when Kawhi Leonard's team contacted USA Basketball to discuss his availability.
"Two days ago, Kawhi’s camp reached out to USA Basketball expressing concern, a source said."
Leonard played 68 games last season, this being the first time he played 60+ games since the 2018-19 season with the Toronto Raptors. After missing the 2021-22 NBA season due to a torn ACL, he played 52 matches the following year before reaching the 60-game mark with the Clippers.
As promising as that sounded, Leonard once again was hunted by injuries in the postseason. He played only two of six games in the Clippers' first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks.