Team USA will be taking a stacked roster to France for the 2024 Paris Olympics, as The Athletic has confirmed that 11 of the 12 available Team USA spots have already been filled by the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, and more.
"Team USA, looking for its fifth consecutive Olympic gold in men’s basketball, selected LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker and Jrue Holiday, as well as Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton, sources close to the players told The Athletic."
We have known of LeBron, Durant, and Curry's interest in participating at the Olympics since last offseason, with the generation's defining trio becoming teammates for the first time in what likely will be their final Olympic cycle.
LeBron hasn't competed in the national team since 2012, while Curry has never played on the US Olympic basketball team. Durant can become the most accomplished USA basketball player, as he's competing for his fourth Gold medal and has already earned the title of all-time leading scorer for the national team.
LeBron averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists this season, while Durant put up 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. Both players are heavily rumored to be All-NBA selections, with Stephen Curry also in the mix after a season where he averaged 26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.
The rest of the team is fascinating. Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards were rewarded for playing in last year's FIBA World Cup and maintaining their position on Team USA, with Jalen Brunson being a controversial snub. Joel Embiid will represent the USA for the first time, while 2020 Gold medal winners Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Bam Adebayo, and Jrue Holiday return to the team.
One Final Spot Is Remaining
The 12th roster spot is still open with sources not being able to reveal who that spot will go to. The selection committee may be holding off to see how players do over the postseason before making a final decision, but it seems they're leaning toward Kawhi Leonard as the final inclusion.
"Kawhi Leonard is the leading candidate for the USA vacancy with Paul George, Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, and Jalen Brunson also under consideration."
The reason that the final spot hasn't been confirmed could have to do with Kawhi reportedly dealing with a knee injury at the moment. His status for the 2024 Playoffs has been questioned by fans and media members, with even head coach Ty Lue unable to provide an answer as to what's going on with the Clippers forward. Leonard hasn't played a game since March 31.
Banchero, Bridges, and Brunson were all members of last year's FIBA World Cup squad. The team always did feature one extremely young player, similar to Anthony Davis in 2012 or Keldon Johnson in 2020, so Banchero could get the last spot if Kawhi is unable to play. Kawhi's Clippers' teammate Paul George is also on the list.
Brunson might miss out if guards such as Haliburton, Curry, Booker, and Edwards are already expected to be on the team. The same goes for Mikal Bridges and the extra talented wing core on this team, though Bridges' performances this season also haven't been worthy of a national team call-up.
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