The warm weather is finally here, which means summer and the Olympics are coming. On Monday, Team USA finalized its men’s basketball roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, led by the Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James and Steph Curry from the Golden State Warriors.
James and Curry will be joined by Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo, and Tyrese Haliburton. Team USA has kept the final roster spot open, and that roster spot could be kept open until training camp and an exhibition game in July, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Warriors coach Steve Kerr will be the coach of Team USA.
So, who will get the final spot on the roster? Team USA will probably watch what happens in the NBA playoffs and see if they see someone that they want on the roster. Kawhi Leonard is the leading candidate for the remaining spot, with Paul George, Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, and Jalen Brunson also in contention, according to The Athletic. It was announced on Tuesday that Leonard got the final roster spot. However, Leonard hasn’t played since March 31 due to knee soreness, and his status for the NBA playoffs is questionable. If Leonard isn’t healthy enough for the Olympics, Jalen Brunson should replace him. Brunson is the best player among the other candidates being considered for the final spot. He is averaging 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists this season, which is better than Paul George except for rebounds.
The Paris Olympics will be the first Olympic appearance for all three of Curry, Embiid, and Leonard. James will be going for his third gold medal in the Olympics, while Durant is going for his fourth gold medal. Team USA should be the favorite to win the gold medal because they have a lot of star power and talent, and this may be one of the best teams that got sent to the Olympics. The US has won four straight gold medals since the 2004 Athens Games and the gold medal in 16 of the 19 Olympics they have competed in. Team USA finished fourth in the FIBA World Cup last year so that this team will be looking for redemption. While other teams have gotten better, Team USA is excellent and should be competing for the gold medal.
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