In a surprising turn of events, the LA Clippers president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, expressed his disappointment with USA Basketball's decision to replace Kawhi Leonard on the Olympic team roster. The announcement was made by USA Basketball last week, citing concerns about Leonard's performance and movement during the team's camp in Las Vegas.

Frank revealed that neither Kawhi Leonard nor the Clippers had anticipated his removal from the roster. Leonard had fully participated in the first two practices and had shown impressive progress in his recovery from a surgically repaired right knee. However, the decision was made after the third practice, a move that left Frank wishing for more time to evaluate Leonard's readiness.

The LA Clippers' forward had missed the final eight games of the regular NBA season due to inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. Although he returned to play in Games 2 and 3 of the first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks, Leonard sat out the remaining three games as the Clippers suffered a disappointing loss.

When asked about any procedures or treatments undergone by Leonard prior to the USA Basketball camp, Frank chose not to disclose specifics. He emphasized that Leonard had dedicated extensive time to his recovery and had shown substantial improvement during the practices.

Leonard himself had expressed confidence about his knee, stating that it had reached a "neutral state" before the decision was made to exclude him from the Olympic team. Frank reiterated that the Clippers would not have allowed Leonard to participate if they were not certain of his ability to endure the demands of the Olympic experience.

Nevertheless, Frank acknowledged the perspective of USA Basketball, admitting that no one possesses a crystal ball and unforeseen circumstances can affect players' capabilities. The team hopes that Leonard will be fully prepared when they open training camp in October.

In addition to the disappointment regarding Leonard's Olympic exit, Frank also discussed the future of Russell Westbrook, who recently exercised his $4 million contract option. With the departure of Paul George in free agency, Westbrook's role within the team is uncertain. Frank expressed admiration for Westbrook's talent and acknowledged ongoing discussions with his agent to determine the best path forward.

Frank further revealed that conversations have taken place with the agents of Clippers players P.J. Tucker and Bones Hyland, who are seeking more playing time. The team is committed to exploring alternative situations if playing opportunities cannot be provided. Frank also mentioned discussions with Ivica Zubac and Terance Mann regarding possible contract extensions.

With these developments unfolding, the LA Clippers are preparing for a dynamic offseason as they navigate roster adjustments and plan for the upcoming NBA season.

Note: The context of the article has been adjusted to focus solely on the LA Clippers and the mentioned entities.