USA Basketball announced that the Boston Celtics’ Derrick White would replace Leonard on the roster. White is expected to travel with Team USA to Abu Dhabi, where the team will practice and play next week.
Leonard, 33, attended Team USA’s training camp and was on the court for every practice and scrimmage. He insisted his left knee was feeling better, and coaches said he was doing well as he “ramped up” to full speed for the Olympics, but managing director Grant Hill said the U.S. staff was determined. Said that he was not moving forward enough to help the team’s defense. Its Olympic gold medal in Paris.
“This is a sprint, this is not a ramp up,” Hill said Wednesday night, before Team USA hosts Canada in an exhibition game. “Our decision was made and I think we were open, honest and understanding about it all. “I’m sad (for Leonard), but we have to do what’s best for the team, protect the team and give ourselves the best opportunity to succeed.”
In 2021, Kevin Love came to training camp as a member of Team USA, but withdrew due to a long-term injury that prevented him from reaching acceptable conditioning and performance levels.
Hill said the two situations — Love and Leonard — were similar, but he also clarified it was USA Basketball’s call, which was made after Tuesday’s practice.
Leonard was informed before USA Basketball held its 50th anniversary celebration in Las Vegas, which also included remarks from former President Barack Obama.
The LA Clippers (and the NBA) certainly agreed with the decision. They were concerned that Leonard could further damage his knee this summer and that his status for the start of the regular season could be in jeopardy when the Clippers open their $2 billion Intuit Dome Arena. However, teams are not allowed to bar players from competing for their countries in the Olympics, so this was ultimately a decision taken by Team USA.
“Finally, we (took the decision). He was sent home, but we were in talks with the Clippers on that,” Hill said.
Leonard’s coach on the Clippers, Tyronn Lue, is an assistant coach for Team USA.
Leonard’s knee caused him to miss the last eight games of the regular season and most of the Clippers’ first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks. He is battling chronic inflammation due to his multiple surgeries and played only two playoff games in 2023 due to a torn meniscus.
Leonard missed the entire 2021–22 season after tearing his ACL during the 2021 playoffs.
“I think he wanted to be here like everybody wants to be here,” Hill said.
White, 30, a 6-foot-4 guard who can defend taller players and recently signed a $125 million contract extension, is coming off an NBA championship run with the Boston Celtics in 2019. Was on US World Cup team. White is the only Team USA player to never be an All-Star. He averaged a career-high 15.2 points and shot nearly 40 percent from 3 for the Celtics, and was named a second-team All-Defense player.
shortly after athletic First reported on the USA roster move, Jaylen Brown – the 2024 NBA Finals MVP and White’s teammate on the Celtics – took issue with being overlooked to replace Leonard and suggested that USA Basketball’s major sponsor Nike consider Brown. Prevented from joining (Brown is) White is not a Nike-sponsored athlete; Brown is a three-time All-Star and was second-team All-NBA in 2023.
Hill said, “One of the many things I really like about Derrick and especially with this team is that I don’t think he’s a better fit for our team than what he did with the Celtics. His role also changes more.” “He plays with two incredibly great young players, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum (in Boston). …Having somebody that can come in and compete with guys, complement some other guys, but then stand out and also be a strong defensive player, make shots, it’s just about winning. Makes an impact.
Hill did not explicitly explain why White was selected over Brown (who, like White, was in the 2019 World Cup squad), but did say, “My responsibility is to put together a team and a team that can Complement each other.” A team that is a good fit for a team that will give us the best opportunity for success.”
“And, so, you know, whatever the theories may be, they are just that,” Hill said.
Team USA is also missing star forward Kevin Durant due to a calf injury. Hill said Durant will travel with the team to Abu Dhabi and is expected to be back on the court next week.
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(Photo: Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
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