Kawhi Leonard withdraws from Team USA ahead of Olympics

Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

Derrick White is favored to replace Leonard.

Los Angeles Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard is withdrawing himself from the Team USA roster ahead of the Olympics, according to Shams.

It was determined by Leonard and the Clippers that he needed to rest and prepare for the upcoming season, which meant that Leonard would have to drop out from the Olympic team. Leonard missed the last three playoff games of the Clippers’ season due to nagging knee inflammation, a damper on a season that saw the star forward play the most regular season games for the Clippers in a long time. With that in mind, the Clippers want to have him 100% by the time the season comes around, which meant Leonard leaves Team USA.

This now opens up a roster spot, one where many guys have a shot at donning the red, white and blue. According to Andscape’s Mark Spears, Derrick White has been chosen to replace Leonard on Team USA after playing a critical role in the Celtics’ championship run.

Leonard’s loss will hurt on the perimeter, but White is a great defender and will help in that area without needing the ball too much. Team USA takes on Canada in a basketball showcase tonight at 9:30 pm EST on FS1.