Paris Olympics 2024: Emerging “Core” Starring LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and 4 Others, Out for Team USA Basketball

For the Paris Olympics 2024, Team USA’s core seems to have all the top names mentioned. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, and Kevin Durant were a given. After all, Bron was scouting for players to join his ‘Team Avengers’ last year. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the core has now expanded to include Devin Booker and Jrue Holiday.

Team USA seems determined to get the win this time. The initial roster included 41 names of players who were more than ready to suit up if needed. There was also the possibility of injuries to consider. So, having so many willing candidates was surely a great incentive. But it has to be trimmed to a 12-man group.

And that’s the challenge for USAB. It’s a widely known fact that Team USA has been quite consistent in their pursuit of Celtics guard, Jrue Holiday. The Athletic’s Joe Vardon and Charania mentioned that the team highly valued the 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist’s “two-way ability, point-of-attack defense, and dynamic playmaking.” 

Not to mention, this was a sore point for last year’s young roster. But with Holiday committing to the USAB officials, the 3x All-Defensive First Teamer can easily fill those holes.

The Paris Olympics 2024 roster has two young stars as probable candidates

Aside from the veteran core, Team USA is also considering the inclusion of two rising stars to join their star-studded roster. Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton, two top players from last year’s World Cup, are strong considerations for the team. One of the major reasons ‘The Ant’ rose to prominence was the performance and leadership he displayed last summer.

However, Indiana’s very own Haliburton has been nothing remarkable this season. Taking the bull by its horns, he has succeeded in changing the narrative of the Pacers. So, it’s no wonder he is considered a strong candidate for this year’s Olympics.

But apart from these nine (if these are indeed the final names), the roster still needs three more players. A drawback, if it can be called that, is the lack of size in the group. Only Embiid is the “traditional” big man in the squad, standing at 7-foot and 280 pounds. This has put Anthony Davis of LA and Bam Adebayo of Miami on the list as strong contestants.

Yet, the possibility of Embiid not returning is a tough call. As of now, his return to the 76ers lineup seems to be on schedule. But the reigning MVP’s affinity for injury is a major point that cannot be dismissed. Then again, that’s why they have 41 names in the pool. Hopefully, that won’t be necessary and Steve Kerr can take complete advantage of the skilled roster Team USA is guaranteed to have this year!

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