Lawrence Frank said the Los Angeles Clippers “very disappointed” with USA Basketball’s decision to replace Kawhi Leonard on the Olympic team roster last week. USA Basketball implied that Leonard wasn’t on the team in a move that was influenced by the Clippers and Team USA officials after seeing him during camp.
“No, it was USAB’s call and I was quite frankly very disappointed with the decision,” Frank said. “Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play. I was there the first two practices, he looked very good. Was a full participant in everything that they did. I wasn’t there for the third practice where ultimately that was the point where they decided to go in a different direction [last Wednesday].
“I expressed to them I really wish that they would’ve given Kawhi more time.”
Frank was asked if Leonard underwent any type of procedures or treatment to his right knee before USA Basketball camp.
“I’m not going to get into the specifics of kind of what’s been happening,” Frank said. “All I’ll tell you is that he spent a great deal of time getting ready for this. He had a really solid progression. He looked good in the practices.”