Derrick White is a real contender to replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA for this year’s Paris Olympics if Leonard is unable to suit up, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter video link via Clutch Points’ Tomer Azarly).
White’s emerged as one of the league’s best defensive players over the past few seasons and he’s been a large part of Boston’s championship aspirations. This season, White averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steal per game in the regular season while being named to the All-Defensive Second Team. Through 18 playoff games, White is averaging 16.9 PPG.
Leonard was named to the 12-man Olympic roster but battled through knee inflammation toward the end of this season, which kept him out of the Clippers’ final three playoff games. When healthy, Leonard averaged 23.7 points and 6.1 rebounds in 68 games for the Clippers this season.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- Sixers superstar center Joel Embiid was hobbled through the playoffs and missed more than half the regular season but he’s still on track to suit up for Team USA starting next month, according to ESPN. “I’m doing great. Just getting ready for the Olympics,” Embiid said on ABC on Friday night. “It’s going to be big for me because I’ve been dreaming about it since I was a kid.” Embiid chose to play for the United States over France and Cameroon.
- Like Embiid, Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton expects to be healthy by the time he suits up for the U.S., according to IndyStar’s Dustin Dopirak. “The hamstring is good,” Haliburton said. “… Today I ran for the first time full speed. I got another three weeks before USA. I feel good. I’m really excited to get out there and do that.” Haliburton missed 10 games in January with his hamstring injury, then re-injured it during the Eastern Conference finals.
- The NBA offseason has begun for 28 teams, and with no more than three games left in the season, we’re starting to have a clearer idea of what decisions teams will be making this summer. Bobby Marks of ESPN (ESPN+ link) breaks down some of these key decisions and potential contract details in a 2024 free agency/offseason primer. Some of the most important decisions impacting the course of the offseason include what the Hawks do at No. 1 overall in the draft, whether or not Donovan Mitchell extends with the Cavaliers and what LeBron James‘ next contract looks like.
- Several teams are flush with cap space this offseason, including the Sixers — a team with two stars under contract that now has ample spending power. In an article predicting the biggest moves of the 2024 offseason, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report speculates that Philadelphia winds up signing Paul George to a max contract. In addition, Pincus predicts Klay Thompson, Malik Monk and Tobias Harris head to Orlando and Isaiah Hartenstein signs with Oklahoma City.
Everybody is saying Thompson might got to Orlando but I just don’t see a team giving him a 3/$100 million deal to pry him away from GSW. That would be a huge gamble for any team to do.
I don’t know what’s going to happen with Klay but he’s unfollowed the Golden State Warriors and removed most Warrior related material on his Instagram.
If they let Klay Walk and release Looney and Paul they could make a run at Butler or Markkanen if they become available.
If they let go of Klay they are not going after Butler because he has the same problem as Klay a older player with injury concerns. If Markkanen is available they could make a offer for him but it might be out of GSW price range.
I think only Orlando can actually do it, and he is a nice match over there. If GSW gets rid of Klay, CP3, Wiggins, Looney and GP2 this offseason, then they will have plenty of cap space to sign a better, longer bench than last year, with more bigs than last season, which was the thing that destroyed them defensively.
the new CBA is hurting the older teams by not allowing them to have a bench. It cost Denver in the playoffs. On reason you must admire Celtics they put together a team that can compete for a few years.
The Warriors realize Klay will get a pretty decent contract out there from a team with cap space. That ship has sailed and they are willing to let Klay Thompson walk. I think it’s a done deal.
Klay still has a lot to offer a young team in need of shooting. His regular season numbers are good, and outside of his two freak injuries he’s been very durable. You know he’s not going to mail it in if he signs a nice contract. He’ll give it 110% for sure.
But I think the Warriors look at the last two seasons playoff performances. 0-11, 3-15, 3-16 is just not going to cut it. Let’s try something different for that money.
How does Embiid get to play for USA when he’s from Cameroon?
Maybe because he’s a United States citizen.
Because America is allowed to steal talent from other countries…
Scarlett, I believe he moved to United States on his own. It was his own free will to pursue basketball. Nobody stole anything.
He just ran for the first time and the olympics are three weeks away? Call me crazy but it doesnt feel like Haliburton is healthy for it
Olympics are a little further out — training camps are three weeks away. Believe Team USA’s first Olympic game is July 28.
Clippers and Kings will miss the playoffs?
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Philadelphia winds up signing Paul George to a max contract. In addition, Pincus predicts Klay Thompson, Malik Monk and Tobias Harris head to Orlando and Isaiah Hartenstein signs with Oklahoma City
I would love for Derrick White to get an Olympic roster spot. As I’ve mentioned, I think he is one of the most underrated players in the league.
People are starting to see he’s a stud on defense, but he’s also a very good offensive player, can run the point, is very unselfish, and I never see him complain.
He’s a humble guy from what I understand and seen in interviews. Perfect Olympic representative for our country.
Derrick White is a good player but while y’all clearly like the humble/submissive athletes better that obv shouldn’t factor in to who makes the Olympic team. Scottie Barnes is a lil more brash but he’s also a better basketball player, not to mention younger & an obv candidate to be on future national teams as well. Jaden McDaniels, Herb Jones, Jalen Johnson are other guys off top of my head that would be perfect choices to replace any of the wings/forwards that have to bow out.
Good point about Scottie Barnes. Great player !!
I said humble but nothing about submissive. Try not to read something that’s not there into everything.
I think the opposite of humble would be Luka Doncic. He’s arrogant and thinks he deserves every call, both on offense and on defense. Complains about everything. Not humble.
So Derrick White over Jalen Brunson that’s laughable…That’s ok though rather have him ready for the regular season.
Yes true. I quickly jumped on the Derrick White bandwagon I guess because he’s in the finals and on TV right now. But as Sankara wrote there’s probably a ton of guys better than him.
Maxey should get some consideration for that last spot. He adds some great speed and 3 pt shooting.