USA Basketball: LeBron James leads projected roster for 2024 Olympics – For The Win

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 ofThe 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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

POSITION:Wing

AGE: 27.7

EXPERIENCE: 2020 (Olympics Gold)

While he isnt mentioned as one of the players who has spoken directly to LeBron James about playing for Team USA, perThe Athletic, three-time All-Star Devin Booker reportedly has a serious interest in committing to play in the Olympics in Paris as well.

POSITION:Guard

AGE: 34.0

EXPERIENCE:2020 (Olympics Gold)

Lillard, like Booker, reportedlyhas 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. Another name to consider in the backcourt is Tyrese Haliburton. He had the highest plus-minus of anyone on his team during the tournament.

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.

POSITION:Wing

AGE: 22.9

EXPERIENCE:2023 (World Cup)

Team USAs 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.

POSITION:Big

AGE: 30.4

EXPERIENCE:N/A

If we are talking about the best-case scenario for next summer, there is no bigger swing factor in the 2024 Olympics than Joel Embiid. The NBAs reigning MVP is eligible to play for Team USA or Team France during the Olympics. Team USA managing director Grant Hill said Embiid knows our desire to have him on the team.

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USA Basketball: LeBron James leads projected roster for 2024 Olympics - For The Win