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LeBron James' Honest Statement on Kawhi Leonard Missing Olympics

LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will not compete in the Paris Olympics
Joey Linn|
Nov 1, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports | Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

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It was announced on Wednesday morning by Team USA Basketball that LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard would not compete in the Paris Olympics after going through training camp with the team. Team USA made the following statement on the decision:

"Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas. He felt ready to compete. However, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers determined it's in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than participating in the Olympic Games in Paris."

Leonard missed the last nine regular season games of the 2023-24 NBA season, and was limited to just two playoff games in the Clippers' opening round loss to the Dallas Mavericks. While it seemed Leonard would be good to go for the Olympics, he was ruled out Wednesday morning.

Speaking with reporters after USA's exhibition win over Canada, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was asked about Leonard, saying, "Obviously it was a decision that was mutual, I believe, between Kawhi and USA Basketball. We was definitely looking forward to it. At the end of the day, he's still a brother of ours. He went through training camp with us, he's still a brother of ours. More important, we just wish him the best and that’s all that matters."

It is certainly unfortunate that Leonard will not be in Paris with Team USA, but it seems this was a decision that was made collectively.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.

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