REPORT: Boston Celtics Derrick White to replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Joe Vardon, Kawhi Leonard is withdrawing from Team USA for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

In January, Team USA released its initial 41-player pool of candidates for the upcoming Olympic Games, and four Celtics were listed in the report: Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White. However, when Team USA finalized its initial roster, only Tatum and Holiday were selected to represent the United States.

The initial roster had one spot open as it was uncertain whether or not Kawhi Leonard would be ready to go. After making the trip to Las Vegas, Leonard and the rest of Team USA began practicing at UNLV in preparation for the Olympics.

With Leonard now withdrawing, it leaves a void in the team. Despite Leonard’s injury history when he’s on the floor and healthy he’s still one of the best two-way players in the league. A Defensive Player of the Year winner in 2014 and 2015, Leonard would have been the best defender on Team USA alongside Jrue Holiday.

Team USA has a decision to make regarding its final selection and if the rumors of it being Derrick White are true, they will get another defensive star. White is coming off of a phenomenal championship season where his sacrifices throughout the year could pay dividends if selected. In years past, Team USA at times has struggled defending and would win games by simply trying to outscore every team and play little defense. With White at 6’4, he gives Steve Kerr the option to put him on other teams opposing star guards. Or he can play the backcourt of Holiday and White in the closing stages of quarters or games if they need a defensive stop.

White is also the type of player you can use in multiple roles if it’s defense he’ll be up to the task, he also won’t complain about not lack of playing time and can play in a pinch if needed. He can space the floor with the best of them shooting 39.6% from deep this past season. White can be another ball-handler if need be.

UPDATE: Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach is reporting that Derrick White has been added to Team USA’s roster.

After the addition of Derrick White, 25% of Team USA is represented by the Boston Celtics. Recently Jayson Tatum said in an interview that he would take his current Celtics over Team USA, now he is joined by two more, a third if you count Payton Pritchard who is on the Select Team.

After already signing an extension with Boston, White will now look to add some gold to his cabinet and will look to do it next to his teammates Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday.

White is fresh off of signing a four-year extension with Boston and now can look to add to an already an impressive summer by trying to win gold with Team USA.