The Los Angeles Clippers want Kawhi Leonard to be at full energy.
They want him to play virtually each recreation, however greater than that, they positively want him to be there for the playoffs.
Which may sound apparent, however it hasn’t been the case for years now.
That’s why they are going to be thrilled to know that Leonard has formally determined to withdraw from Staff USA forward of the upcoming summer time Olympics.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Leonard’s resolution, including that Boston Celtics guard Derrick White is a powerful candidate to exchange him.
Kawhi Leonard is withdrawing from Staff USA for the Paris Olympics and can be changed, sources inform me and @joevardon. Boston’s Derrick White is a powerful candidate to exchange Leonard on Staff USA, sources stated. pic.twitter.com/OlgwcDb012
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 10, 2024
Reality be advised, this simply appeared like the suitable resolution for Leonard.
As large a celebrity as he’s, Staff USA has greater than sufficient expertise in it’s pool of gamers to get by with out him.
The Clippers made one other sturdy monetary dedication to him final season, however he couldn’t even end the yr on the ground once more.
He should do the whole lot in his energy to remain wholesome for when it counts, and including one other month or so of strong-caliber competitors received’t assist him with that.
Some imagine the Philadelphia 76ers ought to urge Joel Embiid to make the identical resolution, as he’s been always damage and exhausted by the second spherical of the playoffs.
As for White, he’s not essentially the most outstanding identify on the market by any means, and USA Basketball may’ve gone after one other star only for the sake of leisure.
Then once more, from a basketball and a match standpoint, he’s simply tailored for FIBA Basketball, and he’s earned his stripes after serving to the Boston Celtics win a championship.
NEXT:
Stephen A. Smith Would not Maintain Again His Ideas About Kawhi Leonard On Staff USA