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Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN Staff Writer
LAS VEGAS — LA Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said the team was “very disappointed” with USA Basketball’s decision to replace Kawhi Leonard on the Olympic team roster last week.
In a statement released last Wednesday, USA Basketball implied that Leonard wasn’t on the team in a move that was influenced by the Clippers and Team USA officials after seeing how the two-time Finals MVP was moving and playing during USA Basketball’s camp in Las Vegas last week.
Frank said Leonard did not suffer a setback with his surgically repaired right knee. USA Basketball replaced Leonard’s roster spot with Boston’s Derrick White.
“No, it was USAB’s call and I was quite frankly very disappointed with the decision,” Frank said. “Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play. I was there the first two practices, he looked very good. Was a full participant in everything that they did. I wasn’t there for the third practice where ultimately that was the point where they decided to go in a different direction [last Wednesday].
“I expressed to them I really wish that they would’ve given Kawhi more time.”
Leonard missed the final eight games of the regular season with inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. He returned to play in Games 2 and 3 before missing the remaining three games of the first-round series loss to Dallas.
Frank was asked if Leonard underwent any type of procedures or treatment to his right knee before USA Basketball camp.
“I’m not going to get into the specifics of kind of what’s been happening,” Frank said. “All I’ll tell you is that he spent a great deal of time getting ready for this. He had a really solid progression. He looked good in the practices.”
Leonard said he was able to get his knee and the inflammation to “turn around” over the two weeks prior to USA Basketball camp. On the day before USA Basketball announced Leonard was not going to continue on with the team, Leonard had said his knee was at “a neutral state.”
“He wouldn’t be out there and we wouldn’t put him out there if we weren’t confident that he’d be able to go through the entire Olympic experience,” Frank said. “Now I get it from USAB’s perspective, no one has a crystal ball.”
Leonard was unable to finish the past two postseasons because of right knee injuries. In 2023, he tore his right meniscus after the first two games of a five-game series with the Phoenix Suns, who eliminated LA in the first round.
Frank said Leonard is expected to be ready when the Clippers open training camp in October.
Frank also touched on the future of Russell Westbrook, who picked up his $4 million contract option at the end of June. Frank said he has had talks with Westbrook’s agent since Paul George’s departure in free agency to Philadelphia. The Clippers often paired the two former Oklahoma City teammates and friends together on the floor. But with George gone, Westbrook will likely be playing elsewhere next season as well.
“First, Russ is a tremendous f—ing player,” Frank said. “Hall of Fame player. He’s one of one for what he’s accomplished. Last year was a different role than he’s ever played before, backing up once we made the trade for James [Harden]. Since the time he’s opted in and with PG leaving as well, we’ve kind of worked with his agent to see where there’s the best fit for Russ.
“But we got great respect for Russ. He did a terrific job while he was here and we’ll continue to work through his agent to see what the best next steps are.”
Frank said he has had discussions with the agents for P.J. Tucker and Bones Hyland, two Clippers who want to play more. Frank said if there is no pathway to play, the Clippers will work with both players to find a different situation.
Frank also said he has talked with Ivica Zubac and Terance Mann about possible extensions as well.