The Tokyo Olympics are just around the corner, but Team USA has yet to fully announce its roster for the men’s basketball team. Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Draymond Green are all interested in playing on Team USA in the upcoming Olympics.
Team USA won consecutive gold medals in the 2008 Beijing games, 2012 London games, and 2016 Rio games. The 2004 games in Athens marks the only time Team USA didn’t win a gold medal since the IOC allowed pro ballers to participate in the Olympics with the first-ever Dream Team in Barcelona in 1992. In 2004, Team USA settled on a disappointing third place and a bronze medal.
| 2020 Tokyo Olympics – Team USA Men’s Basketball |
- Damian Lillard
- Kevin Durant
- James Harden
- Draymond Green
- Bradley Beal
- Jayson Tatum
- Bam Adebayo
- Kevin Love
- Devin Booker
- Jrue Holiday
- Khris Middleton
Lillard, Beal, and Tatum haven’t played for Team USA before and are all seeking their first gold medal. Beal finished second in scoring this season behind Steph Curry. Several big-time stars withdrew their names for consideration for Team USA, including Anthony Davis, Chris Paul, and Steph Curry. LeBron James is currently undecided.
Brooklyn’s Harden and KD good to go
Durant won gold medals in basketball with Team USA in 2012 and 2016. This would mark his third time at the Olympics as he pursues a third gold medal in men’s basketball.
James Harden would love to suit up with his teammate Durant for Team USA, but the status of his hamstring will determine his availability. Harden suffered a grade two strain in the opening minute of the Eastern Conference semifinals. He rushed back and played a couple of games for the Brooklyn Nets with the injury, but was ineffective and the Nets were bounced in the second round. Harden won a gold medal for Team USA at the London Olympics in 2012.
Khris, Jrue, D-Book still in playoffs
The Milwaukee Bucks are the consensus favorites to win the 2021 NBA championship with four teams remaining in the hunt for the title. Two of their starters, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, both indicated they want to join Team USA in Tokyo. However, both are still in the thick of a deep playoff run.
Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns hold a 2-0 series lead over the LA Clippers in the Western Conference finals. The Suns are just two wins away from locking up a berth in the NBA Finals. Game 7 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for July 22, or just one day before the Olympics begin. If the Bucks or Suns advance to the NBA Finals, there’s a good chance that Booker, Holiday, and Middleton won’t play for Team USA.
LeBron, Steph, AD, CP3 not playing for Team USA
LeBron James is currently undecided, but there have been strong rumors suggesting he will sit this one out. The LA Lakers star also has Hollywood obligations with the Space Jam film. Anthony Davis, who suffered a couple of injuries in the first round of the playoffs for the Lakers, will also sit this one out.
Chris Paul would like to play, but the Phoenix Suns are still in the hunt for an NBA championship. Paul suffered a shoulder injury in the first round, then tested positive for coronavirus after the Suns swept the Denver Nuggets in the second round. He’s still out due to the NBA’s safety and health protocol.
Steph Curry from the Golden State Warriors recently withdrew his name from consideration. He had a sensational season after winning the NBA scoring title in the final weekend of the season. However, he’s focused on staying healthy and waiting to reunite with Klay Thompson, who missed this past season while recovering from injuries. The Warriors also have two first-round picks in the upcoming NBA Draft to help Curry and Thompson chase another championship.