Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry had been among the many NBA superstars who mentioned on Monday they had been keen on enjoying for the US on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
An American lineup of NBA expertise will search a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal subsequent 12 months in France, the place Durant may turn out to be the primary US man with 4 basketball golds.
“I’ll play within the Olympics subsequent 12 months,” Durant mentioned throughout media day for the NBA Phoenix Suns.
All-time NBA scoring chief James, the Los Angeles Lakers celebrity who received gold in 2008 and 2012, downplayed his curiosity, saying merely, “Yeah, I do. I do have curiosity. We’ll see what occurs.”
However different gamers mentioned that four-time NBA champion James, a ahead who turns 39 in December, has been a serious drive behind the scenes in pulling collectively high gamers for the 2024 Olympic roster.
“I might like to,” mentioned Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers. “I do know Bron is within the forefront of making a hell of a roster. However that’s at the start on how my physique is, how my well being is, to complete the season.
“All of it is determined by how effectively we do and the way far we go this season. That might play so much into my determination on going and enjoying over in France.”
James is aware of effectively the affect a six-month NBA common season and two months of playoffs can have upon gamers and their our bodies even earlier than the grind of getting ready and enjoying for Olympic gold.
However James downplayed the damage and tear issue.
“Bodily toll? I’ll see how I really feel on the finish of the season,” he mentioned.
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“From the gamers that we have now right here off the highest of my head that might fill that roster up, I don’t assume it will be an excessive amount of of a bodily toll.
“I wouldn’t must do a lot. Rebound a bit bit, cross a bit bit, defend, block some photographs, you recognize? However we’ll see. We’ll see what occurs.”
Lakers energy ahead Anthony Davis, who figures to be a key large man on the US roster, famous he had already advised teammate James that, “In the event that they ask me, I’m in.”
Requested by ESPN if he had been recruiting gamers for the Olympics, James replied, “We’ve been in communication.”
Golden State Warriors guard Curry, the NBA’s all-time chief in 3-point baskets, has received 4 NBA titles however by no means an Olympic gold medal. He desires the possibility in Paris.
“I talked to some individuals concerning the alternative and positively if all issues keep the identical I wish to be enjoying,” Curry mentioned.
“It’s the one factor I haven’t carried out. I additionally perceive the chance for Workforce USA to form of reassert themselves because the dominant on the earth and that sort of stuff.
“So positively wish to be there, and positively wish to be on the workforce and hopefully issues line up that approach the place we’re all good.”
Additionally amongst those that indicated on Monday an curiosity within the US 2024 Olympic workforce had been Bam Adebayo, DeMar DeRozan, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Julius Randle and Kawhi Leonard.
Those that have beforehand indicated a want to play on the squad included Golden State’s Draymond Inexperienced and Dallas guard Kyrie Irving.
One other participant to think about is reigning NBA Most Worthwhile Participant Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, who may play for Cameroon, France or the US. He expects to decide quickly.