CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 31: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers brings the ball up court ... [+]
Kawhi Leonard’s Olympic run was short-lived.
Team USA announced Wednesday that Leonard is withdrawing from team activities ahead of the 2024 Olympics.
According to an official release, it was a joint decision made by USA Basketball and the LA Clippers to hold Leonard out of this summer’s competition.
Despite Leonard feeling comfortable enough to play after rehabbing his injured right knee, he respected their decision to preserve his health.
With the unfortunate luck Leonard has endured over the last three years, it’s only logical for all parties to take a cautious approach. The last thing a player — or their incumbent team — wants is to jeopardize a full season by risking an untimely injury or reaggravation of the knee. For the Clippers, who can likely sense their championship window closing, they simply have to maximize every opportunity.
Grant Hill, managing director of the USA Men’s national team, issued a personal statement on Leonard withdrawing from competition.
“I want to thank Kawhi for his commitment to the USA Men’s National Team,” Hill said. “He earned the opportunity to represent the United States, but USA Basketball and Clippers leadership felt it’s important to allow Kawhi to prepare for the NBA season.”
Leonard was participating in most of the contact drills and scrimmages, and he was expected to be available for Team USA’s first exhibition game on Wednesday against Canada.
It didn’t take long to fill his spot.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White was immediately announced as Leonard’s replacement. White, fresh off the best season of his career and a championship run, will become one of USA’s utility guys off the bench.
The selection shouldn’t be a surprise. White was rumored to be the choice weeks ago when Leonard was forced to miss the final three games of the Clippers’ first round series against Dallas.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after a three ... [+]
Nevertheless, most of the reaction on social media was negative, with fans wondering why the replacement wasn’t another All-NBA level star or high-profile scorer.
But the reality is, White fills an important role the coaching staff is looking for. Team USA is already stacked with elite scoring talent and players that can easily generate their own shot.
They are loaded with pick-and-roll creators, dynamic finishers around the basket, and veterans that are overqualified to be second-side scorers when the defense collapses on the first action.
Plus, let’s face it — USA is already heavily favored to win the gold medal. Even if Leonard didn’t have a replacement, their talent advantage over the field would still be severe and undeniable.
There’s nothing wrong with welcoming an intelligent, feisty defender that hustles on every possession while also being a 40-plus percent knockdown shooter on spot-ups.
White is also a low-maintenance wing that is never concerned about his shot volume or the number of touches he receives — which is also right up Steve Kerr’s alley. He’ll be a fantastic plug-and-play option in virtually any lineup USA wants to experiment with. And if his playing time is cut short or non-existent, he’s not the type to complain.
As for Leonard, the Clippers’ franchise star now has 11 weeks to rest and completely heal before NBA training camps begin. Assuming he doesn’t need surgery this summer, Leonard could certainly use the extra time off to recover for the 2024-25 regular season. He and the Clippers understand they have virtually no margin for error after Paul George’s departure in free agency.
Leonard was on the court more frequently last season, playing the most games (68) and minutes (2,330) since his San Antonio days in 2017. It resulted in the most efficient year of his career and, ultimately, an All-NBA Second Team selection.
All signs pointed to a healthy season until April 1 when Leonard was shut down by the Clippers due to right knee inflammation. He was out for three full weeks before returning for Game 2 of the postseason, but never looked explosive or ready for the speed and intensity that playoff action demands.
The Clippers are hoping an extended break will have him ready to go in October as Leonard’s three-year, $150 million contract kicks in.
