Paris Olympics: NBA All-Star Makes Shocking Bid For Team USA Amid Kawhi Leonard & Co’s Plaguing Injury Concerns

As we get closer to crowning this year’s NBA Champions, basketball fans have already started looking forward to Team USA’s pursuit of Gold in Paris. After much deliberation, the 12-superstar roster was finalized two months ago to seek redemption for the failure in last year’s FIBA World Cup. But since then, a few selected players including Kawhi Leonard and Joel Embiid have had to deal with some injury concerns, putting their availability for Paris in question. Amid this uncertainty, Raptors’ superstar Scottie Barnes has made himself available in style for national duty.

Sharing an image on Instagram stories of the 3 gold medals he won for his nation, Scottie expressed his Olympic desires. To make his intentions clear, he wrote, “If wondering, those 3 are gold in U16, U17, and U19. One day I’ll get gold in the Olympics.” Bringing gold for the USA for three consecutive years, from 2017 to 2019 in FIBA tournaments, Barnes has shown that he has what it takes to represent the nation in the Olympics. And he might get his wish seeing the state of the current roster.

Of the twelve players, three are currently dealing with lingering injuries. Still not fully recovered from the MCL injury that put him out for most of the season, Embiid is now also dealing with the Bell’s Palsy, as he was diagnosed with during the playoffs. Meanwhile, plagued by injuries all his career, Kawhi Leonard is also recovering from the inflammation in his right knee that caused him to miss four of the six playoff games against Dallas. Even Tyrese Haliburton’s Paris trip is unsure because of the hamstring injury he suffered a few weeks ago. And these injuries could open up three spots in the Team USA roster for Paris, making way for Barnes.

Can Scottie Barnes make the cut for Paris?

Despite all the injuries ahead of the Olympics, none of the said players have backed out of their commitment so far. With well over a month remaining for the festivities to start, there is still a chance that they might make a complete recovery and head to Paris. And even if one of them doesn’t, there is a chance that Scottie Barnes might not be the first in line to replace them. Initially, New York’s Jalen Brunson was supposed to be the replacement for any injured players on the roster after his dominant performance this season.

However, suffering a fractured hand in the final game of their playoff run, Brunson had to undergo surgery and might not be able to participate in the Olympics. But with the recent resurgence of Kyrie Irving and his dominant run to the finals, he could be the one finding his place in the roster after Brunson’s injury. And same is the case with Boston’s Jaylen Brown.

Showing that they are in elite form and with their proven playoff experience, these veterans could get a chance before a young player like Barnes. So, even if an injured player misses the tournament, Barnes’ latest bid might not be enough to get him a ticket to Paris.

Before you go, do not forget to check out how Caitlin Clark’s humility despite the negativity surrounding her is impressing Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato. Keep checking this space for more such updates.