Knicks star Julius Randle's game apparently wasn't the right fit for Team USA basketball at the Tokyo Olympics.
The star-studded Team USA roster has seen shakeups in recent days, with two-time gold medalist Kevin Love opting out and Wizards star Bradley Beal sidelined while in coronavirus protocols.
However, the 26-year-old Randle, the NBA's reigning Most Improved Player, never heard from Team USA executives, according to a report.
Instead, team officials filled the vacant roster spots with Spurs reserve Keldon Johnson and journeyman Nuggets center JaVale McGee.
The thinking was that the team needed more "role players," according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Randle was "heavily discussed" as a candidate, the report said, but McGee was coveted for his shot blocking, while Johnson was ultimately promoted from Team USA's Select Team.
Johnson rewarded the team's faith in him during Team USA's exhibition win over Spain on Sunday, scoring 15 points and making his presence felt all over the floor. McGee, however, did not play in the anticipated matchup of two gold-medal favorites.
Prior to the game, coach Gregg Popovich said McGee was "the most logical choice" for the roster spot, given the options at hand.
Randle, meanwhile, has been working out in his hometown of Dallas, and was open to joining Team USA if he had gotten the call, the Post reported.
The Kentucky product played four years with the Lakers and one with the Pelicans before spending the past two seasons with the Knicks. He broke out for a career best 24 points per game last season, earning his first All-Star nod as well as the MIP award while leading the Knicks to their first playoff berth since 2012-13.
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