Is there a new dream team? LeBron James and Co. are currently working on a new super team that will compete at the 2024 Olympics. We look at the players interested in Team USA as well as the possible squad in France next year.
The disappointment at the 2023 World Cup has left its mark. For the second time in a row, the USA remained without a medal at a World Cup, but that should change at the 2024 Olympics. Numerous superstars have already signaled their willingness to compete in France next year. We’ve created an overview of all the superstars’ comments and take a look at what the squad could ultimately look like.
Team USA: These NBA stars are interested
Joel Embiid
Team: Philadelphia 76ersPosition: CenterAge at the 2024 Olympics: 30
If Embiid doesn’t get injured, the center will be there in Paris. The USA won the race for the reigning MVP, the 29-year-old also flirted with the French and his home country of Cameroon. Now the Sixers star confirmed that he actually wants to compete for Team USA.
“It hasn’t been easy and I’m blessed to be able to call Cameroon, France and the USA home,” Embiid wrote on further. Embiid’s full statement about his decision can be found here.
Stephen Curry
Team: Golden State WarriorsPosition: Point GuardAge at the 2024 Olympics: 36
It’s hard to imagine, but if there’s one thing Stephen Curry is missing, it’s an Olympic berth. It had been rumored for some time that the then 36-year-old could be there under his coach Steve Kerr, At Media Day, Curry fueled these rumors.
“It’s something I haven’t done before and I also understand that it’s a chance for Team USA to redeem themselves. I want to be there and be part of the team. Hopefully it works out.”
Kevin Durant
Team: Phoenix SunsPosition: ForwardAge at the 2024 Olympics: 35
Durant is now an old hand at Team USA. KD has always been at the Olympics since 2012, and he led his country to the World Cup title in 2010 and won the MVP award in the process.
And it was Durant who made his ambitions clearest. “I’ll be at the Olympics next year,” Durant said at the Phoenix Suns’ media day.
Devin Booker
Team: Phoenix SunsPosition: Shooting GuardAlter bei Olympia 2024: 27
Durant’s teammate Devin Booker also played offensively. Shortly after the World Cup semi-final against Germany, he hinted at this when he responded to a tweet from Kyle Kuzma. He had doubted that experienced NBA players would play as role players for the USA. “I will do it,” Booker wrote at the time.
And that’s exactly the answer Booker gave when asked at Media Daywhether he really wanted to play for Team USA next July. Booker also took part in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Bradley Beal
Team: Phoenix SunsPosition: Shooting GuardAlter bei Olympia 2024: 31
There may even be three Suns players representing the USA in France. Bradley Beal can also imagine a summer in Europe (“Yes, 100 percent”), possibly because he has never been able to represent the USA.
Beal was supposed to be in Tokyo in 2021, but the then Wizards star became infected with COVID-19 and had to be canceled at short notice.
LeBron James
Team: Los Angeles LakersPosition: ForwardAge at the 2024 Olympics: 39
Is he really doing it again at 39 years old? It seems so. The oldest player in the NBA can well imagine a fourth (and possibly last) participation in the Olympics should also play a major role in recruiting.
“I’m very interested in it,” said James at Media Day, but also added: “First of all, I’m concentrating on the Lakers. We’re going to have a long season.” But James doesn’t see too much strain: “With the players we have, it’s not bad for my body. I wouldn’t have to do much. Rebound a little, pass a little, defend and block one or two throws. “
It would also be James’ fourth Olympic participation. He won gold in 2008 and 2012, and in 2004 the then teenager had to settle for bronze.
Anthony Davis
Team: Los Angeles LakersPosition: CenterAge at the 2024 Olympics: 31
And James could also bring his Buddy Davis with him, with whom he has already discussed possible participation. “Bron asked me last year and I said that if they wanted me, I would be there,” Davis revealed at the Lakers’ Media Day.
For Davis it would be the second participation after 2012, when he was the twelfth man as a college player. “Back then Bron, Kobe, CP3, Melo were there. It was clear to me that at 19 years old I would just sit on the bench.” In 2014, Davis finally won gold in a larger role at the World Championships.
Kawhi Leonard
Team: LA ClippersPosition: ForwardAge at Olympics 2024: 33
Kawhi is the other big superstar who, like Curry, has never been to the Olympics. But that could also change if Leonard gets through the season without injuries. On Media Day, Kawhi revealed that he even wanted to play at the World Cup, but the forward suffered a meniscus injury in the playoffs.
“Yes, I wanted to play in the summer, but I couldn’t go. Let’s see what it looks like next summer,” Leonard said vaguely.
Paul George
Team: LA ClippersPosition: ForwardAge at 2024 Olympics: 34
The situation is similar for PG-13, who already won Olympic gold in 2016. What matters to him is how far the Clippers will go in the coming season.
“I would like to play. I know that LeBron is putting together a brutal squad, but for me the most important thing is how my body is at the end of a long season.”
Jayson Tatum
Team: Boston CelticsPosition: ForwardAlter bei Olympia 2024: 26
There is no shortage of wingers anyway, with Jayson Tatum also showing renewed interest. The Celtics superstar was already in action at the 2019 World Cup and the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo and has already made it clear that he would like to play if he received an invitation. It’s safe to assume at this point that he will get one.
Jaylen Brown
Team: Boston CelticsPosition: Guard/ForwardAlter bei Olympia 2024: 27
Teammate Brown has also already applied: “There is no greater honor than being part of the Olympic Games for Team USA,” said Brown at Media Day.
Brown still has some work to do anyway. He was part of the World Cup team that had to bow out in the quarterfinals in China in 2019.
Bam Adebayo
Team: Miami HeatPosition: CenterAge at Olympics 2024: 27
According to Tim Reynolds (AP), the Heat center has already given his commitment. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who will be back in Paris as Steve Kerr’s assistant, called Adebayo a “must-have” for the team next year.
The addition of Joel Embiid supposedly doesn’t play a role. If fit, Adebayo will be there and play for his second Olympic gold.
Draymond Green
Team: Golden State WarriorsPosition: Forward/CenterAge at the 2024 Olympics: 34
The Warriors forward was there in both 2016 and 2021, and according to reports, the 33-year-old can also imagine taking part again. But nothing more is known at the moment.
Team USA: The players also want to go to the Olympics
The following players have also expressed interest:
Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks)DeMar DeRozan (Chicago Bulls)Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls)Fred VanVleet (Houston Rockets)Aaron Gordon (Denver Nuggets)Kyle Kuzma (Washington Wizards)Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)Julius Randle (New York Knicks)
Team USA: These stars could also be at the Olympics
And then there are other players who were traded through the media.
Damian Lillard
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Position: Point Guard
Age at the 2024 Olympics: 34
The new Bucks star was already there in 2021, but played a surprisingly weak tournament – despite the gold medal. Lillard reportedly played with a hip injury.
Immediately after the USA’s elimination in the semifinals the previous month, The Athletic finally reported that Lillard (and Kyrie Irving) were considering a comeback for the USA team.
Desmond Bane
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Position: Shooting Guard
Age at the 2024 Olympics: 26
The same article from The Athletic also mentioned the name of Bane, who would probably have been at this World Cup if he hadn’t had to undergo foot surgery.
Jimmy Butler
Team: Miami HeatPosition: Guard/ForwardAge at Olympics 2024: 34
The Heat star was there once before in 2016, but Butler recently showed little ambition or was not in the cards. “Who knows,” said Butler when asked whether he would like to represent the USA again.
Trae Young
Team: Atlanta HawksPosition: Point GuardAge at the 2024 Olympics: 25
After his comments over the summer, does Young still have a chance to be part of the program? The Hawks spoke of a lack of respect for not being nominated again. Team USA and Trae – that just doesn’t fit. Brian Windhorst (ESPN) revealed in his podcast in August that Young was able to do little self-promotion during his appearances for the USA.
Coach Greg Popovich preferred to take Derrick White with him to China in 2019, even though Young would have been available as part of the select team at the time.
Zion Williamson
Team: New Orleans PelicansPosition: ForwardAlter bei Olympia 2024: 24
Another candidate could also be Zion Williamson, if his body cooperates. That’s always the big question for the 23-year-old, who at least didn’t rule out taking part.
“If Team USA wants me, that would be a great honor for me,” Williamson said at the Pelicans’ media day. “Of course I’ll have to think about it if the time comes.” However, due to the All-Star’s injury history, his participation is unlikely.
Team USA: The squad at the 2023 World Cup
Of course, there are also the members of the World Cup team who come into consideration. Anthony Edwards, Mikal Bridges and Tyrese Haliburton can definitely see their chances, but the rest could be tight. As a reminder, these were the remaining nine players at the last World Cup in the Philippines
Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers)Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)Josh Hart (New York Knicks)Cam Johnson (Brooklyn Nets)Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks)Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz)Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans)
There are also other youngsters that could be considered, especially if these players make a big leap in the coming season. In this case we name players who were already part of the Select Team this summer:
Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City)
Team USA: This is what the squad could look like
According to reports, a total of nine players are more or less certain, although there are of course uncertainties such as injuries or a deep playoff run. The nine players are:
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
This leaves three spots that we would fill with Damian Lillard as a second playmaker, Anthony Edwards as a sixth man and Kawhi Leonard as another legacy player (we just need FIBA Kawhi). And this is what the potential depth chart would look like:
2023-10-07 05:54:00
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