Predicting Team USA's starting five for the 2024 Olympics

Team USA boasts a star-studded roster preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Some of the biggest names in basketball committed to representing their country following a difficult fourth-place finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. 

With so much talent available, Steve Kerr will have difficulty choosing his starting five. Every player in the rotation could end up in the NBA Hall of Fame. Nevertheless, here is how Team USA's starting five could look to begin the Olympics.

Point Guard: Stephen Curry

Curry, 36, will be playing in his first Olympics. The four-time NBA champion will undoubtedly be the best shooter in the Olympics. His movement, shooting and playmaking will be vital for Kerr's team and provide the space for his veteran teammates to thrive. Curry will also have a field day with the shortened FIBA three-point line, making it borderline unfair whenever he gets an open shot. 

Shooting Guard: Anthony Edwards

Edwards was part of the FIBA World Cup team that failed to win a championship. He enters the summer after a strong season, which saw him make his second consecutive All-Star team. Edwards' athleticism and physicality will give opposing defenses problems as he drives the lane or works as an off-ball cutter. He finished last season with an average of 5.7 assists per night, giving Kerr a high-level secondary or tertiary playmaker to rely on. 

Small Forward: LeBron James

James, 39, continues to defy the aging process. Despite closing in on his 40th birthday, he remains a top-15 player in the world. He will likely pick his spots when getting downhill and spend more of his time on the perimeter. He ended last season with a career-best 41 percent conversion rate from deep on 5.1 attempts per night. Of course, James could also be the lead ball-handler and initiator; he is, after all, fourth in the NBA's all-time assists leaderboard. 

Power Forward: Jayson Tatum

Tatum is entering the Olympics fresh off winning his first NBA championship. Under Joe Mazzulla, he has become a complete player who lets the game come to him and affects the outcome in a multitude of ways. He will bring on-ball creation, high-level rebounding and another passing outlet while adding size to the frontcourt. Tatum's experience of playing on a loaded Boston Celtics team and scaling his production to fit the team's needs will be vital in helping Team USA succeed. 

Center: Anthony Davis

Joel Embiid is still recovering from meniscus surgery. He may be better served coming off the bench. As such, Davis could slot into the starting center position. He's one of the most skilled bigs in the NBA. He's also an elite shot-blocker, rebounder and has a pre-built pick-and-roll partnership with James. Davis will give Team USA an elite interior presence while allowing Embiid to bully second-unit defenses throughout the tournament.