Several sources have confirmed that 11 out of the 12 spots for Team USA’s basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics are filled.
The team features basketball stars LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, along with Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, and Tyrese Haliburton.
The final team member has yet to be decided, with Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers leading the pack as the favored choice, according to The Athletic. Paul George, Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, and Jalen Brunson are also in contention. Both Durant and James are reported to support Leonard’s inclusion.
From a strategic standpoint, Leonard or Banchero would be ideal due to their versatility in playing different positions and their defensive prowess. This is a trait that, apart from Tatum, is somewhat lacking among the confirmed team members. While James and Durant are not as defensively strong anymore, Holiday could play a crucial role, though he might be backing up Curry.
Despite Jalen Brunson’s popularity with Team USA head coach Steve Kerr, his chances might be reduced by an already guard-heavy roster. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski notes that team officials are considering leaving a spot open, possibly due to ongoing injuries among contenders, and are waiting to see the outcomes of the NBA Playoffs.
Team USA’s preparation begins on July 5 in Las Vegas, with their first game scheduled against Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic, on July 28.
