LeBron hints at Olympic return; Predicting Team USA roster
(BVM) – Team USA’s disappointing semifinals loss to Germany during the 2023 FIBA World Cup quickly turned the discussion to the country’s roster for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in France.
On social media, fans pondered which direction the program would go as managing director Grant Hill explores his potential options. With plenty of star names getting tossed around, Los Angeles Lakers star and former two-time gold medal winner LeBron James decided to add some fuel to the fire.
Could we see a last dance with LeBron in the Olympics? 👀 pic.twitter.com/RaFH78SO6X
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 8, 2023
In what was an inexperienced group that took part in the recent FIBA World Cup, the team headlined by the likes of Anthony Edwards, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jalen Brunson found themselves unable to reach the expected heights. While the lineup on paper was talented enough to reach the finals this year, the group couldn’t overcome some of the roster’s deficiencies when it came to its opponents’ size.
The upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics should give Team USA a platform to return its “A-team” back into action. While many have speculated that James might not make a return due to his age, the recent social media comment could lead to some integral upcoming roster changes.
Team USA’s last Olympic group that featured the likes of Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum endured their fair share of struggles early on, but still found a way to land a gold medal as the event went on.
With many players from that roster likely set to return for the upcoming year, here’s what the next team could look like.
Guards
Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, Trae Young, Jrue Holiday
The guard list for the 2024 roster could go in a number of different ways with Anthony Edwards showing a lot of value during his time on the 2023 FIBA World Cup team. But the idea of James returning likely would bring the addition of a player like Curry, who was not part of the last group to play together. Another interesting addition could be Trae Young, who has been vocal about being left off in the past and should probably be given a chance at some point to make the team. Butler would seemingly be the wildcard of those mentioned, with his last appearance coming in 2016.
Forwards/Centers
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Bam Adebayo, Chet Holmgren, Jarrett Allen
Durant found himself as the leader of the 2020 group that also deployed Tatum and Adebayo in the starting unit. That trio’s experience playing together could be beneficial, with James’ last time playing alongside Durant coming all the way back in the 2012 Olympics. Tatum will likely spearhead many of Team USA’s future efforts in the global scene, with the group’s current stars likely only around for one more run. With the 2023 FIBA World Cup team’s issues with length and size, finding the next set of centers that can help off the bench like Holmgren and Allen will be a major priority for the organization heading into 2024.
Starting five
Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo
If Butler decides to join in 2024, he could have a solid argument for a starting spot but a similar lineup to the one the team used in 2021 makes the most practical sense. Adding James and Curry into the starting unit only gives the group more experience against global competition.
