Why isn’t Kawhi Leonard playing in the 2024 Olympics? Clippers contest Team USA’s reasoning

The Los Angeles Clippers have added a sense of mystery to Kawhi Leonard’s absence from Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris by rejecting USA Basketball’s claims they didn’t want the 33-year-old to be involved.

Why was Leonard originally ruled out of the Olympics?

Ahead of the start of the USA Basketball Showcase last week, it was revealed the Clippers and Team USA had jointly decided it was in Leonard’s “best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season”.

The six-time NBA All-Star has suffered a number of injuries in recent years and missed 12 of the Clippers’ last 14 games in 2023/24 because of a knee issue. Team USA admitted Leonard “felt ready to compete” during practice sessions earlier this month but opted to cut him from the roster and replace him with the Celtics’ Derrick White anyway.

Clippers “very disappointed” with USAB’s Leonard call

Now, though, Clippers general manager Lawrence Frank has denied the NBA franchise had anything to do with Leonard’s withdrawal, insisting they wanted the 33-year-old to take part in the Olympics.

“It was USAB’s call, and I was, quite frankly, very disappointed with the decision,” Frank explained. “Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play.

Knee injury still the reason for Leonard’s Olympics absence

Leonard’s injury does, though, still appear to be the reason for his absence from the roster, even if the instigators of it have changed.

“I understand USAB’s perspective that they have to look at what they feel is in the best interest of the team, despite what I think,” Frank continued.

“They’re also managing some other players who are dealing with injuries, so, I understand that they have to do what’s best. ... You have to move forward. We support USAB. Desperately want to see them win the gold medal. I know that’s how Kawhi feels, too.”