In a surprising turn of events, Kawhi Leonard, the star player for the LA Clippers, has decided not to participate in the upcoming Paris Olympics as a member of Team USA. USA Basketball has announced that Boston Celtics guard Derrick White will replace Leonard in the roster.

The decision comes after observing Leonard's performance during the training camp in Las Vegas over the past three days. The statement released by USA Basketball suggests that Leonard's withdrawal was influenced by both the Clippers and Team USA officials. It would have been Leonard's first Olympic appearance.

Leonard, who suffered from right knee inflammation and missed 12 of the Clippers' final 14 games last season, has been preparing for the Olympics for the past several weeks. However, both USA Basketball and Clippers leadership felt it was in his best interest to focus on preparing for the upcoming NBA season instead.

The Clippers' head coach Ty Lue, who is also part of the Team USA coaching staff, along with team president Lawrence Frank, have been present at the training camp held at UNLV this week. This suggests a collaborative decision between the Clippers organization and USA Basketball in determining Leonard's participation.

In place of Leonard, Derrick White has been chosen to represent the United States in the Paris Olympics. White, who recently signed a four-year extension worth $126 million, played for Team USA at the 2019 World Cup and had an impressive season with the NBA champion Boston Celtics, averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists.

Expressing excitement over White's inclusion, USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill stated that they look forward to his contributions after his championship season in Boston. White is expected to join the team in the coming days as they continue their preparations for the Olympics.

As for Leonard, he has been undergoing knee rehabilitation over the past two months. Although unsure initially if he would be able to play, he showed improvement in the last two weeks leading up to the training camp. He had expressed his willingness to play in the team's exhibition game against Team Canada but referred to his knee being in a "neutral" state.

In addition to Leonard's absence, Team USA is also facing the setback of forward Kevin Durant's injury. Durant has been unable to participate in contact practices due to a calf strain and will not be playing in the exhibition game against Team Canada.

NBA teams typically do not have the authority to prevent players under contract from representing their national teams. However, in some cases, it becomes a mutual decision. The Golden State Warriors, for example, held Andrew Wiggins out of the Olympics, although it was stated to be a mutual decision.

Leonard's decision to prioritize his NBA season preparations over the Olympics is understandable given his history of knee injuries. Having appeared in 68 games this past season, the most since the 2016-17 season, Leonard's focus is on maintaining his fitness for a successful campaign with the Clippers.

Team USA's journey to the Paris Olympics will continue, albeit with some adjustments to the roster. The addition of Derrick White will undoubtedly bring new energy and talent to the team as they aim for glory on the international stage.