After Team USA came in fourth place in the 2023 FIBA World Cup over the summer, numerous NBA stars who didn’t play appear to be considering taking part in next year’s Olympics. Lakers star LeBron James is reportedly one star who is “ready to commit” to playing in Paris next summer, but he is not alone.
In order for American stars to agree to play on the national team, some players will have to take roles that are less than what they’re typically used to in the NBA. Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma questioned whether players can “be cool with defending and going to the corner for a few possessions.”
In response, Suns guard Devin Booker had a very simple answer that showed his willingness to take a lesser role — while also seemingly hinting at the idea of potentially joining LeBron and company at the Olympics.
“I’ll do it,” he wrote on social media.
I’ll do it https://t.co/77PBGNEQ0W
— Book (@DevinBook) September 12, 2023
Since 2020, Booker has been the focal point of a team that has NBA Finals aspirations. The Suns have turned a corner in recent years, going from a 19-63 record in 2018-19 to losing in the 2021 NBA Finals and making the Western Conference semifinals in each of the past two seasons.
Isaiah J. Downing/USA Today network
The guard has a previous history of being willing to take on a different role with a powerhouse team. In college, while Booker played for a loaded Kentucky team in 2014-15 featuring Karl-Anthony Towns, among others, and was a role player as the Wildcats went undefeated in the regular season.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, James has spoken with multiple stars about playing for the team, including Durant, Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum. Charania added that Booker has “serious interest in committing,” a report that Booker himself has seemingly confirmed.
