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.
Kawhi Leonard is withdrawing from Team USA for the Paris Olympics and will be replaced, sources tell me and @joevardon. Boston’s Derrick White is a strong candidate to replace Leonard on Team USA, sources said. pic.twitter.com/OlgwcDb012
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 10, 2024
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.
Celtics guard Derrick White will be replacing Kawhi Leonard with USA Basketball, a source told @andscape.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 10, 2024
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.
