Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers is expected to join Team USA’s roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Team USA’s coaching staff is strongly considering Leonard as the final addition to the team.
Other candidates being considered include Leonard’s Clippers teammate Paul George, Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic, Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets, and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks.
Kawhi Leonard is the favorite to capture the last roster spot on Team USA, per @ShamsCharania
“Kawhi Leonard is the leading candidate for the USA vacancy with Paul George, Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson also under consideration, sources told The Athletic.”… pic.twitter.com/ks5QNLgJPZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 16, 2024
The initial 11 players announced for Team USA include Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, and Tyrese Haliburton. The team aims to defend their gold medal from 2021 under head coach Steve Kerr.
Team USA’s fourth-place finish in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup motivated the players to commit to the Paris Games. Leonard is expected to secure the final roster spot despite his knee injury.
The team’s potential depth chart consists of Curry, Holiday, Haliburton, Booker, Edwards, Durant, Tatum, James, Davis, Embiid, and Adebayo. Team USA has won gold in the past four Olympics, and the final roster spot is still unknown.
Official announcements from the team are pending.
There are uncertainties regarding Leonard’s status for the Clippers’ playoffs due to his knee injury.
Haliburton, Edwards, Banchero, Bridges, and Brunson were part of the American 2023 FIBA World Cup team. Curry, James, and Durant committed to Team USA early on, while Embiid, Booker, and Holiday were reported as locks.
The final roster is yet to be finalized, and there is a possibility of more spots opening up due to NBA playoff injuries. The selection process for the initial 11 players was unorthodox, as it was not settled until late June in 2021 for the Tokyo Olympics.
Team USA’s roster for the 2024 Olympics has been mostly determined in advance, with one spot remaining to be filled. The last player selected will stand out as a last-minute decision.
Team USA originally had a pool of 41 players, but now only 30 remain after selecting 11. The players who didn’t make the team include Jarrett Allen, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Mikal Bridges, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler, Alex Caruso, De’Aaron Fox, Paul George, Aaron Gordon, James Harden, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Ingram, Kyrie Irving, Jaren Jackson Jr., Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Derrick White, and Trae Young.
There is speculation as to why Team USA left one spot open, and it is believed that the best remaining American player, Leonard, has health concerns. He fills a need as a forward, and it would be ideal to have a defensive-minded wing with forward size.
Leonard is currently uncertain about starting Game 1 for the Clippers, so he may be waiting to determine his physical capability before committing to Team USA. Despite this, Leonard is seen as a snub and should have been included in the initial roster.
Fans reacted as follows:
How is Kawhi not a lock 😭
— IKD (@ESPNneedsIKD) April 16, 2024
So he can’t be hurt because why would he play in the Olympics if he’s not 100% rn?
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) April 16, 2024
How is kyrie not even being considered man?😡🤬
— Vini (@ViniEAFC) April 16, 2024
Cant stay healthy to play in the playoffs but he can frolic on the olympic geriatric team
— RexBanner (@TheBeerBar0n321) April 16, 2024
Why not just put Kawhi on the 19 man over Jrue he’s just a bigger clampier version. Then Brunson can join so we don’t have to watch halibum run point
— x – Mikey CoinSnatch (@MikeyCoinSnatch) April 16, 2024
My first question is, why isn’t Kyrie on the roster and 2. We know Joel & Kawhi both aren’t playing with their injury history 🤦🏾♂️
— Kurtis Toledo (@kurtistoledo) April 16, 2024
Breaking: Kawhi misses the Olympics due to unknown and undiagnosed calf strain.
— B.B. Bundy (@BB_Bundy) April 16, 2024
As expected, he deserves it
— 23 💫👑 (@Br0nToLA23) April 16, 2024
Put Kawhi in that team and the Avengers becomes complete
— Gringo (@Mkisii_mmeru) April 16, 2024
Kawhi Leonard is a great player. Wishing the team luck.
— Adorable (@amuche70149) April 16, 2024
All the Olympics are for the NBA players is a way to increase their global brand so they can sell more sneakers and apparel for their individual endorsement brands.
— Formerly Raoul Duke's Burner ™️ (@mbruce1967) April 16, 2024
if USA want the best team possible i mean yea its Kawhi 👁
— 🎎🎎🎎 (@BonesHyland) April 16, 2024
Jaylen Brown clears everyone here except Kawhi
— BasedCelticsFan (@BasedCelticsFan) April 16, 2024
