Who Ought To Be On Team USA’s Olympic Roster in 2024?

USA’s Olympic Roster: Since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Team USA has dominated Olympic basketball, capturing four straight gold medals. When putting up a dream team for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, it is simple to understand why. There is plenty of talent available. It will be difficult to make cutbacks.

There are only 12 available places. Usually, a young prospect gets one of those places. In 2020, Keldon Johnson received it. That place is left from the list below to make things simpler.

It’s conceivable that some of these athletes may turn down invites to play. For the time being, let’s set that aside and look at the strongest lineup that Team USA might field.

Who Ought To Be On Team USA’s Olympic Roster in 2024?

Guards

It’s crucial to have guys who can spread the floor with shooting when they don’t have the ball in their hands since this team will have a lot of offensive firepower. The abolition of unlawful defence laws also increased the amount of zones in international play, making the capacity to shoot across zones even more crucial.

Talented young players like Ja Morant and De’Aaron Fox were left off this list because to the importance of shooting, but some of the other names on this list benefited from it. The four guards who were chosen are listed below.

Stephen Curry

Except for one, Curry has accomplished every single individual and team goal in his career. He has never been in the Olympics and won a gold medal. Could he win one for his nation by teaming up with Steve Kerr?

It goes without saying that Curry belongs on this roster. He is the finest shooter in the world, and any league could use his skills.

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Damian Lillard

With the Trail Blazers, Lillard had his finest offensive season to date, averaging 32.2 points and 7.3 assists. The league’s top two deep 3-point shooting threats are him and Curry. It would be entertaining to see them alternately bomb away from 30 feet.

Lillard’s passing prowess is also underappreciated. He is an excellent facilitator who has the ability to penetrate defences.

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Anthony Edwards

Through his outstanding performance at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Edwards qualified for this team. He was the team’s top player and had a tendency to control games with his shot creation.

Despite still having occasional errors off the ball, he has improved tremendously as a point-of-attack defender.

Devin Booker

Booker is one of the league’s top shooters and a better defender. He helped Team USA win the gold medal in Tokyo, gaining Olympic experience.

Forwards

The position to choose at on this squad was forward. Jimmy Butler was most likely the most difficult exclusion overall. Butler, though, receives the first axe since shooting is scarce on this team, just like it is at the guard positions.

The players chosen have a strong feel and are experienced winners.

Kevin Durant

One of the top five NBA players is still Durant. Given the size issues that squad USA experienced during the FIBA World Cup, his length would be a major benefit for this squad.

LeBron James

James would be the group’s senior citizen at the age of 39. He skipped the past two cycles despite participating in the Olympics in 2004, 2008, and 2012 and won two gold medals.

His passing and leadership are needed on this squad. It’s unlikely that he will accept an invitation, but he may come back.

Jayson Tatum

Although it was during the COVID epidemic, Tatum had already won a gold medal in Tokyo. He has stated that he wants to play one more so that he may fully enjoy the Olympics. He is the kind of two-way player who blends in wherever.

Paul George

For the last forward position, George, Butler, and Kawhi Leonard competed. George ultimately receives the nod due to how simple it is for him to fit into this team.

Given George’s stature and Kerr’s preference for switch-heavy tactics, he can cover a variety of spots. He is a fantastic two-way player who is efficient without the ball in his hands.

Bigs

The absence of top big men is Team USA’s biggest weakness. Although this squad lacks Nikola Jokic, it still has several excellent players who can act as defensive pillars.

Anthony Davis

One of the NBA’s top defenders is Anthony Davis. He has the ability to switch on the perimeter and lock down the paint entirely.

With USA big men who can run the floor effectively, foreign teams have truly struggled. Because Davis plays in Kerr’s favoured manner of play, he is a fantastic match for this team.

Draymond Green

Green must join Curry on this team if Curry is to play. In the NBA, the two work together most effectively.

Green continues to be a fantastic player in his own right. One of the world’s most intelligent defenders, he can carry out the grunt work for his squad.

Brook Lopez

Physical bigs have been a major challenge for Team USA. Lopez offers Kerr at least one enormous body, which she needs.

Due to his influence when he’s close to the rim, he makes a terrific defender for international competition. There might not be a better shot blocker to choose from if we did not have to worry about the defensive three-second rule.

Bam Adebayo