With Team USA’s latest win over arguably their toughest opponents so far, reigning FIBA WC winners Germany, the hoopers successfully finished the set of Showcase games staying unbeaten. But as they now hop on a flight to Paris, Kevin Durant’s availability remains ‘the massive concern’. While LeBron James and Co. won all their warmup games, some by a much smaller margin than they should’ve, KD didn’t suit up even once due to a lingering injury. Regardless, Steve Kerr and USA Basketball continue to stay loyal to Durant, making fans wonder why Kawhi Leonard was not given the same treatment and whether the Nike rumors were actually true.

While the Slim Reaper watched the Germany game from the bench, head coach Steve Kerr remains confident that he will accompany them to the Olympics. “Yeah, there’s no thought of replacing Kevin,” he clarified. But the nation is now concerned that KD’s sudden inclusion to the rotation in Paris might end up hurting them because he’s been dealing with a calf strain even before the Las Vegas camp began.

However, his teammate Jrue Holiday silenced those doubters with a subtle reminder, “That’s Kevin Durant, my boy. What are we talking about?” Backing the Celt’s point, Kerr continued to explain his faith in KD, “Having coached him in Golden State, when he missed time, you know he came right back. He is who he is you know, one of the most skilled players of all time.”

“So, hope he comes back soon and I think he’ll fit right in.” Even when Durant tore his Achilles during the 2019 Finals and missed the entire following season, he returned in elite form, also making the All-Star team. And Team USA likely expects him to fit like a glove in Paris as well despite his long hiatus.

Although it’s great to see the entire team’s trust in KD and surely no one wants him to be rushed to the court and risk further injury, many of you might be wondering why the benefit of the doubt wasn’t given to Kawhi Leonard too. While Kawhi was reportedly healthy and participated in all four Team USA scrimmages earlier this month, he was forced to withdraw from the Olympics as USA Basketball claimed that they had determined with the LA Clippers that sitting out was the best option for the two-time Champion.

However, the franchise’s President Lawrence Frank denied any involvement in the decision and even claimed that Kawhi was looking forward to the Paris trip before he was pulled last minute.

Fans are bemused by Team USA’s decision making “Of course they’re going to keep” Kevin Durant, citing Kawhi Leonard’s exit

With the way Kevin Durant’s position on Team USA is being protected despite his injury while Kawhi was forced to leave for far less, many fans firmly believe that there’s a hidden agenda behind all that has transpired. “Politics. Signed with new balance. Competition with Nike and grant Hill got in his feelings when talking about kawhis health issues as it relates to his playing career,” a fan wrote.

It is widely controversially believed that Nike only wanted the athletes who signed with them to represent Team USA in the Olympics. Maybe that’s why Durant is still around, many fans believe so. “I thought it was pretty obvious Nike stepped in because they want their athletes representing USA. Same for not having Jaylen Brown. So of course they’re going to keep KD,” a netizen wrote.

Moreover, Jaylen Brown not being picked to replace Kawhi even though he recently won the Finals MVP makes these claims stronger. More so because the Celt is a sneaker-free agent and he has also had public issues with Nike in the past when his former teammate Kyrie Irving had a fallout with the sneaker brand, leading to a contract termination.

Meanwhile, one netizen claimed that Kawhi’s 2019 legal battle with Nike over the copyright ownership of the ‘Klaw’ logo is the reason why he was taken off the team. Even USA Basketball MD Grant Hill’s ambiguous statement hinted that it was not Leonard’s idea to withdraw last minute, “We just felt that we had to pivot. Not to get into the particulars, in terms of what went into the decision, but we just felt it was in our best interest, but also in the Clippers’ and Kawhi’s best interest, to move into a different direction. We tried. I think we all tried and we gave it a valiant effort, and unfortunately, we have to move forward.”

One individual just claimed, “Kawhi got kicked off the team because he didn’t want to wear Nike you stupid ho.” Maybe, the decision-makers feared that the Clipper would pull a Michael Jordan-esque move in Paris like the six-time champ did during the 1992 Olympics where he “unintentionally” covered the Reebok logo on his jacket with the American Flag while receiving his Gold medal.

While rumors continue to catch fire, one thing is certain, as veteran insider Tomer Azarly pointed out, “Somebody was/is not telling the truth here lol. We’ll probably never know who.” With USA Basketball and the Los Angeles Clippers giving contrary statements about Kawhi’s withdrawal and now Kevin Durant being kept on the team despite his injury has only thickened the plot even more.

What’s your take?