"USA basketball pulled the plug as well" - Shams Charania clears air on Kawhi Leonard withdrawing from Team USA ahead of Paris Olympics

The news of Kawhi Leonard departing from Team USA ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics shocked the NBA world last week. Originally it was reported that the decision came solely from Leonard's camp, however, it now seems the choice to move on without the star forward was mutual.

"As much as this was a Kawhi Leonard and Clippers decision to withdraw from the team this was a little bit about team USA as well," The Athletic's Shams Charania reported on the Pat McAfee Show Monday.

Charania said Team USA may have been concerned with Leonard after watching him practice at the team's minicamp in Las Vegas.

"They saw him go through multiple days of practices," Charania said. "The way Steph Curry, LeBron James and those other guys looked on the court, compared to how Kawhi Leonard looked, USA essentially determined he did not meet their criteria for fitness to be able to play moving foward."

Even if the decision was agreed upon by all sides, Charania said that Leonard wished to play at the event.

"Kawhi Leonard wanted to play," he said.

From the Clippers side, concerns would be focused on his injury history and ability to make the most of the 3-year, $150 million contract he's starting next season.

"There has been some conern on his knee," Charania said. "This is something the Clippers have to monitor the rest of the summer, that's what this is about, his longevity, and his ability to play NBA games for this season and the next few."

Clippers president frustrated with Kawhi Leonard's removal

Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was vocal about his disappointment over Leonard no longer being a part of the 2024 Paris Olympics team.

"We were really disapointed for Kawhi, and this is something we really wanted for him...but now we move forward," Frank said on Monday. "We support USAB, we desperately want to see them win the gold medal, I know that's how Kawhi feels too, despite really wanting to play he's there for his guys and wishing them the best."

Frank said he wanted the team to be more patient with Leonard, and that he saw what he liked from his star when we went to team practices in Las Vegas.

"I expressed with them that I really wish they gave Kawhi more time," Frank said. "He looked good to me...I know all the sacrifices he made in order to make this commitment to the Olympics, so I was very dissapointed."

Frank also denied the rumors of the Clippers influencing the decision of Leonard's exit from the roster. Boston Celtics' Derrick White was selected as a replacement by USA Basketball.