With the Absence of LeBron James and Stephen Curry From FIBA WC, Who Is the Highest Paid NBA Player in Team USA

Months into the offseason, the only redemption for the hoops community is the much-awaited 2023 FIBA WC. While fans expected the superstars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant to take part in the tournament, the Team USA dropped a young roster. As upcoming stars like Anthony Edwards, Austin Reaves and Jalen Brunson lace up for the WC, who do you think is the highest paid NBA star in the red, blue, and white team?

The last time King James represented the national side was in 2012 Olympics and he secured his second gold medal. Since then the Los Angeles Lakers superstar decided to sit out of the national side, citing rest. Reasonably, James is currently in his late 30s and would require rest to go all guns blazing in the last stretch of his NBA career. Meanwhile, this is the second straight FIBA WC which Steph has skipped.

So who’s the highest paid Team USA player in the 2023 FIBA WC?

Among the 12-man squad, New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram has the highest paid NBA contract worth $158 millions. Followed by Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jalen Brunson with $104 millions contracts each. However, Minnesota Timberwolves Anthony Edwards, who is currently under a $44 million-contract, signed a 5-year contract extension which could fetch him $260 million. On the other hand, Tyerese Haliburton also signed a record-breaking $260 million contract, but it is effective from the 2024-25 season.

On the other hand, Paolo Banchero has the lowest paid NBA contract at $50 millions with the Orlando Magic.

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However, the story could change as the Golden State Warriors superstar hints at his entry into the national side.

Will Stephen Curry play for the national side?

While it’s clear that Stephen Curry won’t take part in the FIBA WC, the doors are still open for the Paris Olympics 2024. Moreover, Warriors iconic coach Steve Kerr leads the national team as well. It’s a fair chance that Curry could finally play for the USA in Olympics. Surprisingly, he has given his word for the same as well.

During an interview with ESPN, he said, “I’d love to play for him [Steve Kerr] any day of the week, so we’ll see how it goes come summer 2024.” 

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With less than a year left for the 2024 Olympics, will Curry play under Kerr? Let us know in the comments  below.