Kevin Durant and Steph Curry have become the latest NBA stars to confirm they want to represent the United States at the 2024 Olympics.
LeBron James hinted that he is ready to play in the Paris Games, too, where the Americans will bid for a fifth consecutive gold medal. But the 38-year-old, who triumphed in 2008 and 2012, insisted: ‘We’ll see what happens’
Durant, 35, can become the first men’s player with four basketball golds. ‘I will play in the Olympics next year,’ he said at Phoenix’s media day on Monday. ‘I definitely want to be there,’ said Curry, who has never been to the Olympics. ‘It’s the one thing I haven’t done.’
Others expressed the same sentiment: Bam Adebayo said he’s committed to the team, while DeMar DeRozan, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Khris Middleton, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Fred VanVleet and Brook Lopez are among those who indicated they would play if asked.
Kyrie Irving said the same at Dallas’ media day last week, and Draymond Green previously indicated that he wants another Olympic opportunity.
There are 12 roster spots and a lot more than 12 interested players.
‘From the players that we have here off the top of my head that could fill that roster up, I don’t think it would be too much of a physical toll,’ said Los Angeles Lakers forward James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
‘I wouldn´t have to do much. Rebound a little bit, pass a little bit, defend, block some shots, you know? But we’ll see. We’ll see what happens.’
Also planning to play in the Olympics: Joel Embiid. The uniform he would wear is still a mystery.
He would be eligible to play for France or the US because he has dual citizenship – and his birth country, Cameroon, still has a shot at qualifying for the Paris Games as well.
‘My goal is to play in the Olympics,’ Embiid said. ‘I love all three options. Cameroon, I’m born there, I’m from there and I always want to represent my country. But the goal is also to play in the Olympics. If we had a chance, or if we would qualify for the Olympics, that will be an easy decision. But that’s still up in the air. And I really do want to play in the Olympics.’
When will Embiid decide? ‘Probably going to make that decision in the next few days,’ he said.
Others who revealed they have interest in playing included Zion Williamson, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Kuzma. Among those who haven’t ruled it out: Jimmy Butler and Anthony Davis.
‘Playing for USA Basketball, I think there’s no greater honor,’ Brown said. ‘Playing for your country, coming from my community, coming from where I come from, where the majority of our demographic comes from – having an opportunity to represent that, your community, your outer community the ones that support you is part of it as well. So being able to participate would be great.’
The US finished fourth at this summer’s World Cup, yet did enough to reclaim the No 1 spot in the FIBA world rankings and earn a berth in the Paris Olympics.
‘I am proud of the World Cup Team and all they did to qualify USA Basketball for Paris 2024,’ said USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill, who along with men´s national team director Sean Ford and coach Steve Kerr of Golden State will pick the team in the coming months.
‘We are thrilled there is interest and excitement going into next summer and are looking forward to going through the process of naming the 2024 Olympic Team.’
There are 26 players in the NBA right now with at least one Olympic gold medal – Durant has three (2012, 2016, 2021), Chris Paul has two (2008, 2012), Green has two (2016, 2021) and James (2008, 2012) has two as well as a bronze (2004).
