Kawhi Leonard won’t necessarily support Paris forever, but Lawrence Frank isn’t happy about that.
The Clippers’ president of basketball operations expressed his displeasure days after the United States Basketball Association determined it was in Leonard’s “best interest” to miss the 2024 Olympics because of lingering knee issues.
“That was a USAB decision and, frankly, I was very disappointed in the decision,” Frank told reporters in Las Vegas on Monday. “Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play.”
The two-time Finals MVP was replaced by the Celtics’ Derrick White after the team’s training camp ended last week.
Leonard finished the 2024 NBA season battling chronic knee pain and inflammation, missing the Clippers’ final three playoff games.
Before being fired, Leonard took part in the U.S. team’s four-day early training session of camp, with Frank also in attendance.
“He was doing really well and was very involved in all the team activities,” Frank said. “I wasn’t at the third practice, but ultimately the team decided to go in a different direction. I really wished at the time that we’d given Kawhi more time.”
Frank watched Leonard battle numerous injuries during his four years with the Clippers.
In 2021, he suffered a torn ACL during the Western Conference semifinals, forcing him to miss the entire 2021-22 season while undergoing rehabilitation.
Leonard tore his meniscus in the first round of the 2023 playoffs before suffering his latest knee injury.
The team knew about his past injuries and thought he would be healthy enough to play.
“We’ve been around Kawhi for five years and we’ve been able to see his body, see how he’s doing, and he looked fine to me,” Frank said. “I know all the sacrifices he’s made to get to that Olympic Games commitment, so it’s a real shame.”
Despite all his disappointment, Frank managed to come to terms with the situation.
“Contrary to my views, I understand USAB’s position that they have to do what’s best for the team,” he said.
“They’re also managing other players that are struggling with injuries, so I understand they have to do their best. … They have to move forward. We’re rooting for USAB and we really want to see them win a gold medal and I know Kawhi feels the same way.”
