After failing to medal during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Team USA could bring a squad of superstars (including LeBron James) to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
According to Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of The Athletic, despite a fourth-place finish in the Philipines, the future could be brighter for Team USA next year. The two insiders reported that LeBron James is “ready to commit” for next summer and is recruiting various other top players from around the league to join him.
Based on the reporting we have seen so far, these are the other stars who could potentially team up with James in Paris when the Olympics begin in July 2024.
Of course, lots can change between now and then. But in a perfect world, the 12-man roster would likely look a bit like this:
Other notable NBA players to express interest: Kawhi Leonard, DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Khris Middleton, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Fred VanVleet and Brook Lopez
1
LeBron James
POSITION: Wing
AGE: 39.6
EXPERIENCE: 2012 (Olympics – Gold), 2008 (Olympics – Gold), 2007 (Americas – Gold), 2006 (World Cup – Bronze), 2004 (Olympics – Bronze)
Despite not playing for Team USA in more than a decade, LeBron James reportedly has significant interest in playing in the Olympics next year. His interest “was not related” to whether Team USA won or lost at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
James said that he does “have interest” in playing and doesn’t think it would be much of a physical toll.
2
Joel Embiid
POSITION: Big
AGE: 30.4
EXPERIENCE: N/A
The NBA’s reigning MVP was eligible to play for Team USA, Team France or Team Cameroon during the 2024 Olympics in Paris. But the big man told Team USA managing director Grant Hill his intentions are to play for Team USA, per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
3
Kevin Durant
POSITION: Forward
AGE: 35.8
EXPERIENCE: 2020 (Olympics – Gold), 2016 (Olympics – Gold), 2012 (Olympics – Gold), 2010 (World Cup – Gold)
Durant, who has reportedly had conversations with James and Curry about playing for Team USA at the Olympics, has a decorated background with the national team. He won FIBA World Cup MVP in 2010 and he is a three-time Olympic gold medalist.
He definitively said that he “will play” during the Olympics next year.
4
Stephen Curry
POSITION: Guard
AGE: 36.4
EXPERIENCE: 2014 (World Cup – Gold), 2010 (World Cup – Gold), 2007 (U19 World Cup – Silver)
Curry is reportedly viewing next summer as a “last dance” with UA Basketball, per The Athletic, and has spoken to James and Durant about teaming up in Paris. Curry has never played in the Olympics but has twice won the gold medal at the World Cup.
The former NBA Finals MVP said it’s the “one thing” he hasn’t done and he definitely wants to be on the team.
5
Anthony Davis
POSITION: Big
AGE: 31.4
EXPERIENCE: 2014 (World Cup – Gold), 2012 (Olympics – Gold)
Although he has not played for Team USA in nearly a decade, Davis won a gold medal with James at the Olympics in 2012 and gold alongside Curry at the World Cup in 2014. He would help provide the size in the frontcourt that Team USA needed at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The big man led all players in the regular season and postseason for rebounds per game.
He said that if he is asked, he will “definitely” play for Team USA.
6
Jayson Tatum
POSITION: Forward
AGE: 26.4
EXPERIENCE: 2020 (Olympics – Gold), 2019 (World Cup), 2015 (U19 World Cup – Gold), 2014 (U17 World Cup – Gold), 2013 (U16 Americas – Gold)
Among all of the candidates for Team USA next summer, Tatum is one of the youngest and also one of the most decorated players mentioned. After he won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, he said he would like to play for Team USA again.
He also recently confirmed his interest in playing during the Olympics.
7
Devin Booker
POSITION: Wing
AGE: 27.7
EXPERIENCE: 2020 (Olympics – Gold)
While he isn’t mentioned as one of the players who has spoken directly to LeBron James about playing for Team USA, per The Athletic, three-time All-Star Devin Booker reportedly has a “serious interest in committing” to play in the Olympics in Paris as well. Booker said “I’ll do it” when asked about committing.
8
Damian Lillard
POSITION: Guard
AGE: 34.0
EXPERIENCE: 2020 (Olympics – Gold)
Lillard, like Booker, reportedly has a “serious interest in committing” to play in the Olympics in Paris as well. The seven-time All-Star is easily one of the best pure scorers in the world and so long as he is healthy, his offensive spark would help Team USA. He said he “definitely” has an interest in playing but he also acknowledged that it is a time commitment.
9
Draymond Green
POSITION: Big
AGE: 34.4
EXPERIENCE: 2020 (Olympics – Gold), 2016 (Olympics – Gold)
Green, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, would immediately help Team USA tremendously on the defensive end of the floor. He brings experience playing for head coach Steve Kerr, who could utilize him in his small-ball lineups that did not work as well during the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
10
Bam Adebayo
POSITION: Big
AGE: 27.0
EXPERIENCE: 2020 (Olympics – Gold)
Team USA decided to switch everything when defending the pick and roll and there is perhaps no better player for that style of play than Bam Adebayo. He has experience playing for Team USA assistant coach Erik Spoelstra on the Miami Heat. Adebayo is “widely considered a strong candidate” to play in Paris. He was reportedly offered a spot on the 12-man roster and will play if he is healthy.
11
Anthony Edwards
POSITION: Wing
AGE: 22.9
EXPERIENCE: 2023 (World Cup)
Team USA’s leading scorer at the World Cup was Anthony Edwards, who is clearly an emerging superstar. He said he “would love to” join the team for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
12
Mikal Bridges
POSITION: Wing
AGE: 27.9
EXPERIENCE: 2023 (World Cup)
Another player who likely earned a spot for Team USA based on his play at the 2023 FIBA World Cup was Mikal Bridges. Several advanced analytics, such as HoopsHype’s Global Rating or FIBA’s individual player efficiency, suggested he was the best performer on the roster. He had one of the best plays of the tournament and has said he would “never say no” to playing for Team USA.
