(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
In an unsurprising but disappointing move, Team USA announced on Wednesday that Kawhi Leonard will not be participating in the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Leonard is still recovering from an injury that ended his season early and Team USA and the Los Angeles Clippers decided it would be best for him to “spend the rest of the summer preparing for the upcoming season” instead of playing in the Olympics.
ESPN announced the news after Team USA’s announcement and fans immediately had a strong reaction to the development.
Breaking: Kawhi Leonard will not play in the Paris Olympics, USA Basketball announced.
The organization and the Clippers determined it’s in Leonard’s best interest to spend the rest of the summer preparing for the upcoming season. pic.twitter.com/2sqQMQdPO6
— ESPN (@espn) July 10, 2024
A lot of people said they weren’t even remotely surprised.
They claimed that it had been obvious for a long time that Leonard wasn’t going to play in the Olympics and that he should spend his time getting healthy.
Was obvious long ago that Kawhi Leonard should spend summers focused on rest and health.
— INSIDE HOOPS – NBA Basketball (@InsideHoops) July 10, 2024
They could’ve announced that a week ago, they knew he wasn’t healthy
— Jorell Hill (@HellRell1990) July 10, 2024
Other people called Leonard “soft” and said this is another example of him letting his team down.
Leonard’s injury history is indeed troubling and many of his seasons have been impacted.
It’s unfortunate that he isn’t able to play in the Olympics because of another injury but it isn’t very shocking.
Soft
— Nate Esparza (@Nate_Esparza) July 10, 2024
Some people feel that the Clippers want him out of the Olympics because they are planning to trade Leonard shortly.
There haven’t been any rumors of Leonard leaving the Clippers so it’s more likely that Los Angeles just wants him to be ready to start the new season in their new arena.
He will be traded soon. Don’t want him injured. The Clippers will be stronger without him. Zero loss to the Olympic Team. Plenty of stronger candidates.
— David 777 (@Vegasdave59) July 10, 2024
Leonard will not be part of Team USA but he will still be rooting for them from home.
The good news is that Team USA has so much great talent that they are still favorites to win the gold even without Leonard.
The post Fans React To Today’s Kawhi Leonard News appeared first on The Cold Wire.