Joel Embiid holds dual citizenship in France and the U.S. His ability to defend at the point of attack and finish plays as a spot-up shooter, cutter, and transition sprinter makes Bridges the Americans' prototype role-playing wing in Paris. Mikal Bridges owns the distinction as Team USA's second-best FIBA performer behind Edwards if Haliburton doesn't. Every temporary team of stars needs a table-setter like him. Tyrese Haliburton might've been the United States' second-best player at the World Cup, with his otherworldly court sense and processing speed creating countless easy buckets for teammates in the half court and open floor. Guard: Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Tyrese Haliburton Wing/Forward: Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, Mikal Bridges Big: Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, Draymond Green, Evan MobleyĢ potential Warriors trade candidates entering 2023-24 NBA training camp Here's what that dream American roster would look like, factoring past international experience, team fit, and Team USA's World Cup foibles into heavy consideration. Otherwise, managing director Grant Hill, Kerr, and his decorated coaching staff may essentially have their pick of the United States' best players. While Ja Morant is no bastion of health, it's his current off-court image that will keep him from representing squeaky-clean USA Basketball in Paris. Scratch off Zion Williamson's name while you're at it. The same goes for Kawhi Leonard for pretty much the same reason. It'd be surreal to watch James suit up for his country one last time, but it won't be happening.Īnthony Davis, whose health concerns loom even larger than James', is also highly, highly unlikely to play for Team USA. The King hasn't worn red, white, and blue since winning his second Olympic gold medal in 2012. LeBron James, an imminent injury risk for years running in his extended prime, will be coming off his 21st NBA campaign next summer, and his 40th birthday will be just months away. Team USA's perfect 2024 Olympics rosterįirst things first: Some no-brainer roster locks just won't be lending their talents to USA Basketball next year. With all that in mind, here's Team USA's ideal roster for the 2024 Olympics following their FIBA World Cup letdown. Nothing is guaranteed for USA Basketball in Paris.

Like Steve Kerr reiterated following his team's hard-fought loss to Germany in the FIBA semifinals, though, it's “not 1992 anymore,” or even 2008. No one should be surprised if the United States' true top players react to their country's latest World Cup loss by banding together with all available comers, following proud, defiant footsteps laid by the ‘Redeem Team' 15 years ago.

The NBA's biggest, brightest domestic stars have plainly prioritized Olympic gold over FIBA glory ever since former USAB director Jerry Colangelo began a complete overhaul of the national program in 2005-one year after the Americans' bronze-winning nadir at the 2004 Athens Games. Team USA was always going to field a much better Olympic roster than it did at the World Cup. The only program-wide silver lining gleaned from the Americans' time on the international stage over the last few weeks? They've already qualified for the 2024 Olympics, an event bound to serve as a reckoning for USA Basketball no matter what transpires in Paris. Make that two straight cycles of the FIBA World Cup that Team USA has failed to deliver gold.

2005 hornets roster