USA Basketball executive Jerry Colangelo addressed Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love's seemingly abrupt exit from Team USA shortly before its departure for the Tokyo Games.
Colangelo, a former longtime NBA executive, was asked about the team's roster construction -- specifically whether "mistakes were made" -- in an article published by The Athletic on Friday.
Love was one of several players whose situation Colangelo addressed in the piece, and he didn't sound particularly pleased about how the episode transpired.
Colangelo said he was caught off guard by Love's interest in playing, since he "wasn't sure he had much left to play."
However, Love was welcomed into the fold because of his international experience, Colangelo said, adding that the five-time All-Star "had equity with us" owing to his prior stints with Team USA, and that he could perhaps have served as a "12th man on the roster."
Love was active for three exhibitions with Team USA before his withdrawal earlier this month. He appeared in only two of the games, logging 18 minutes combined.
But instead of playing like a super sub, Love was out of shape and "way behind," according to Colangelo.
"So you move on," he added. "Call it a mistake."
Love, 32, has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons, and has struggled to find his place at times on a rebuilding Cavs roster. He was limited to 25 games last season due to leg injuries, missing most of the campaign before returning in April.
He cited his ongoing recovery from a calf injury when he pulled out of the Olympics.
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