Image Source: Getty Images
[Saba Sports News] On Wednesday, a third Boston Celtics player was added to the Team USA roster, sparking speculation about Jaylen Brown’s feelings on the decision.
Kawhi Leonard, dealing with chronic knee injuries, withdrew from Team USA to focus on the upcoming NBA season. In his place, USA Basketball announced that Celtics guard Derrick White would join the roster for the Paris Olympics.
Around the same time, Brown posted a cryptic message on X featuring three monocle emojis, often used to express puzzlement or disagreement. This led fans to speculate that Brown felt slighted by the selection of White over him as Leonard’s replacement.
While Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday are also on the Team USA roster, Brown was arguably Boston’s best player during the postseason and was named NBA Finals MVP after the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 23.0 points per game during the regular season and 23.9 during the playoffs, excelling defensively against Luka Doncic in the NBA Finals. It’s understandable why he might feel deserving of a Team USA spot over White.
However, Team USA selections are not based solely on star power. Brown might not be seen as the right fit for the team, a viewpoint that could give Stephen A. Smith more fodder against the Celtics star.