Clippers Have Dumbfounding Reaction to Kawhi Leonard-Team USA News
It hasn't been a good offseason for the Los Angeles Clippers. After getting bounced in the first round for the second straight year, the Clippers entered the offseason with a bunch of questions to answer.
The biggest one was around Paul George, who ultimately left in free agency to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Clips did retain guard James Harden but they still have work to do.
Now all their eggs fall into Kawhi Leonard's basket, who recently was replaced on the Team USA roster by Boston guard Derrick White.
Team USA executive director Grant Hill said, "We just felt that we had to pivot, and not to get into the particulars, in terms of what went into the decision, but we just felt it was in our best interest, but also in the Clippers' and Kawhi's best interest, to move into a different direction. We tried. I think we all tried and we gave it a valiant effort, and unfortunately, we have to move forward."
You would think the Clippers would be happy about this news but they were actually discouraged by Team USA's decision.
Lawrence Frank says Clippers were disappointed in USA Basketball’s decision to pivot from Kawhi Leonard. Frank said Leonard looked good in the first few practices and there was no setback. Frank says he understands USA has to do what it feels best but he felt Kawhi could play.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) July 15, 2024
Clippers News: The Organization Is Disappointed With Kawhi Leonard News
Lawrence Frank, the president of basketball operations, expressed that the Clippers were disappointed in USA Basketball's choice to move on from Leonard.
He expressed that the 33-year-old looked good in practice and didn't sustain a setback.
Although it's a tremendous honor to represent your country in the Olympics, this was the best decision for Leonard's health and the Clipper organization. Why would they be upset about this?
Now that George is gone, there will be more pressure on Leonard to deliver but that is a slippery slope.
The San Diego State product has failed to play more than 70 games in a regular season since 2017. He's had to deal with constant knee issues that have forced him to miss a boatload of time.
Him having the summer off before camp starts in September is the best way to keep him healthy for the upcoming season. The six-time All-Star can't seem to withstand the knicks and bruises of an entire season. If he did play in an ultra-competitive Olympic landscape, who knows what the outlook would be for him in a Clippers uniform in the 2024-25 season.
If I was in Clippers management, having our best player sit out of the Olympics would be great news for us.
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