LeBron James, Steph Curry-less Team USA Won’t Win Gold at LA Olympics, Claims Ex-Champion

The ESPN analyst reiterated that since it took a stellar effort from three of the greatest players in NBA history, it will become that much harder in 3 years. France, Serbia, Canada, and other teams are getting better, and they will be looking to topple Team USA on their home court.

Richard Jefferson does not believe next generation has what it takes to win gold

Richard Jefferson’s opinion left Road Trippin’ Show host Allie Clifton, as well as former teammate Channing Frye, stunned. The latter believed Jefferson did not understand how many top-tier American players exist in the NBA.

However, it seems his thoughts were based on what he has seen so far over the past two years. The former Cleveland Cavaliers’ star believes the Team USA players expected to lead the charge in LA 2028 are not good enough to compete with the best international players.

International teams are more cohesive, and their play is based on their chemistry and deep understanding of how to maximize their potential as a group. Team USA has generally battled based on individual talent.

Be it from the days of the 1992 Dream Team, or Kobe Bryant‘s stellar show at the 2008 edition, or the show the Avengers gave in Paris, every one of them was based on individual performances.

As of now, none of the best American players are at a tier close enough to be considered as some of the best in the NBA. That could become their undoing in Los Angeles three years from now.

Team USA will need more than just talent to win gold in LA

Some of the players that can make the LA 2028 team are Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Brunson, and a few others. As of now, they are not enough to win games against a resurgent France team possessing some of the best young talent.

Even Serbia will be tough, as a few young players are about to get their time in the NBA. Germany might become a powerhouse if the Wagner brothers continue to get better. Then there is Canada.

9 of their players participated in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. That is before other players start to rise to the challenge, for which they have three years to develop. This team could become Team USA’s biggest thorn, apart from France, come 2028. The Americans will need more than just talent to beat them.