LAS VEGAS – LA Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said the team was “very disappointed” in USA Basketball’s decision to remove Kawhi Leonard from the Olympic team roster last week.
In a statement released last Wednesday, USA Basketball said that while Leonard was not on the team, it was influenced by Clippers and Team USA officials after they saw how the two-time Finals MVP ran during USA Basketball’s camp in Las Vegas. Were living and playing. Vegas last week.
Frank said Leonard did not suffer any setbacks from his surgically repaired right knee. USA Basketball replaced Leonard’s roster spot with Boston’s Derrick White.
Frank said, “No, it was USAB’s decision and I was very disappointed with the decision.” “Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play. I was there the first two practices, he looked great. He was a full participant in everything he did. I wasn’t there for the third practice where ultimately the same issue. Was where they decided to go in a different direction (last Wednesday).
“I told them I really wish they had given Kawhi more time.”
Leonard missed the final eight games of the regular season due to swelling in his surgically repaired right knee. He returned to play in Games 2 and 3 before missing the remaining three games of the first-round series loss to Dallas.
Frank was asked if Leonard had any type of procedure or treatment on his right knee before the USA Basketball camp.
“I won’t go into detail about what’s going on,” Frank said. “I’ll just tell you he spent a lot of time preparing for this. His progress was really solid. He looked good in practice.”
Leonard said he was able to heal his knee and swelling two weeks before the USA Basketball camp. On the day USA Basketball announced that Leonard would no longer be with the team, Leonard stated that his knee was in a “neutral position”.
“He wouldn’t be there and we wouldn’t have him there if we didn’t have confidence that he would be able to go through the entire Olympic experience,” Frank said. “Now I understand it from the USAB perspective, nobody has a crystal ball.”
Leonard was unable to finish the last two postseasons due to a right knee injury. In 2023, he tore his right meniscus after the first two games of a five-game series with the Phoenix Suns, which eliminated LA in the first round.
Frank said Leonard is expected to be ready when the Clippers open training camp in October.
Frank also talked about the future of Russell Westbrook, who picked up his $4 million contract option at the end of June. Frank said he has spoken with Westbrook’s agent since Paul George left in free agency in Philadelphia. The Clippers often paired the two former Oklahoma City teammates and friends on the floor together. But with George gone, Westbrook will likely play elsewhere next season as well.
“First of all, Russ is a tremendous f—ing player,” Frank said. “Hall of Fame player. He’s one of those guys for what he’s accomplished. His role last year was different than he ever played before, once we traded for James (Harden). Since he has opted to leave PG, we have also worked with his agent to see where the best fit is for Russ.
“But we have a lot of respect for Russ. He did a great job when he was here and we’ll continue to work through his agent to see what the next best step might be.”
Frank said he has discussed with the agents of PJ Tucker and Bones Hyland, two Clippers who want to play more. Frank said that if there is no way to play, the Clippers will work with both players to find a different situation.
Frank also said that he has talked to Ivica Zubac and Terrence Mann about a possible extension.
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