With one win already in the bag, USABMNT has flown off to the UAE. Practice is in full swing there, as LeBron James and Co. gear up for a challenge down under. Steve Kerr’s goal is to achieve maximum cohesion before heading to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The game on July 15 against Australia will provide another live demonstration of his team’s progress. The starting lineup for the recent game against Canada included LeBron James, Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, and Joel Embiid. However, the latest practice footage suggests potential changes.

Due to obvious reasons, the press has limited access to attend selective sessions during the practice. Alongside them, the NBA social media team also has access to provide a sneak peek of the prep. Their fetched visual recordings surfaced on social media when the NBA posted videos from the practice. Those videos of less than a minute duration were enough for the hyped fans to conjure up a potential starting line-up for the next game, and it doesn’t bode well for Devin Booker and an NBA Champion.

Fans predict incoming snub for Devin Booker and Jrue Holiday

On X, fans didn’t hold back their predictions for the starting five against Australia and beyond. Based on a shooting drill, one fan tweeted, “Looks like Team USA is testing a new lineup: Curry, Ant, JT, Bron, Embiid. Love it.” In the viral clip, LeBron, Curry, “Ant-Man” Anthony Edwards, and Embiid are seen around the rim in a shooting drill. The pass-and-shoot drill featured various combinations of players, but notably, Booker was seemingly sidelined in this drill alongside Jrue, which might indicate a change in plans for Kerr and Co.

Another fan added, “Hopefully the dark blue side are the starters next game Curry Ant Bron Tatum Embiid (maybe swap him with AD) But they losing to Australia anyway.” Despite the late pinch, this user also agreed with the previously mentioned lineup which sees Booker on the bench again. The inclusion of AD is something to note as well, but given Embiid’s reputation and commitment to play for the USAB by ditching France, he is a nailed-to start.

“Looks like tatum in for Booker?” wondered a user on the thread. Given JT was working out with LeBron and Erik Spoelstra, the Cs champion might get the nod in place of Booker. His two-way shift also provides something extra to the team that Booker might not provide.

“Looks like they switched Ant & Tatum in the starting lineup for Jrue & Booker.. just need to switch AD for Embiid an then it’ll be Steph Ant Tatum Bron AD then they’ll be cookin with fish grease (fire emojis),” wrote a keen observer. Devin Booker scored 9 points from 3-4 shooting from the field in the 86-72 win over Canada before making way for Edwards. The Timberwolves guard scored a team-high 13 from 5-8 field shooting and went 50% 3-pts. This performance surely influenced the USABMNT think tank to some extent. On top of it, having Edwards start means Jrue Holiday probably becomes a sacrificial piece who scored 11 in that game. And that is where Tatum comes in.

Devin Booker scored 9 points from 3-4 shooting from the field in the 86-72 win over Canada before making way for Edwards. The Timberwolves guard scored a team-high 13 from 5-8 field shooting and went 50% 3-pts. This performance surely influenced the USABMNT think tank to some extent. On top of it, having Edwards start means Jrue Holiday probably becomes a sacrificial piece who scored 11 in that game. And that is where Tatum comes in.

Kevin Durant was notably missing from most of the footage as he is currently treating a calf soreness. But this is all in the realms of speculation and we’ve to wait till Monday to find out what the exact line-up will be. But It is for sure, that before going to Paris, Steve Kerr and his assistants would want everyone to have enough minutes under their tank. After all, they need the gold medal more than any fantasy lineup.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video