USA Basketball recently announced that LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will not be participating in the upcoming Olympics in order to focus on preparing for the NBA season. Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank expressed disappointment with this decision, stating that both Leonard and the Clippers wanted him to play.
While Leonard has been dealing with knee issues, both he and the Clippers believe that he will be ready for training camp in October. His absence during the postseason last year highlighted the need for additional scoring options on the team. Norman Powell and Terance Mann are potential candidates to step up in this regard, along with the presence of James Harden, who provides a valuable offensive boost.
The Clippers are focused on building a strong defensive identity moving forward, with the goal of becoming a top-five defensive team. There have been discussions about potential trade targets to bolster the roster, with names like Zach LaVine and Brandon Ingram coming up. However, concerns about LaVine’s durability and impact on winning have been raised.
Overall, the Clippers are looking to create a more balanced and deep team to support Leonard and Harden, with an emphasis on defense and additional scoring options to compensate for possible absences. Their goal is to develop a winning formula that can carry them through the challenges of a long NBA season.
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