Kawhi Leonard will not play in the upcoming Paris Olympics for Team USA, which has replaced the LA Clippers forward with Boston Celtics guard Derrick White.
In a statement released Wednesday, USA Basketball implied that Leonard’s decision was influenced by the Clippers and Team USA officials after observing training camp in Las Vegas over the past three days.
It would have been the first Olympic trip for Leonard, who missed 12 of the Clippers’ final 14 games this past season with right knee inflammation.
Clippers coach Ty Lue is on the Team USA coaching staff. Representatives from the Clippers, including team president Lawrence Frank, have attended practices at UNLV this week.
“Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the last…
