Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland and center Jarrett Allen, and Hawks point guard Trae Young are all possibilities for the next version of Team USA, as relayed by Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
The next Team USA opportunity for NBA players will come in Paris during the 2024 Summer Games. Former NBA star Grant Hill has taken over for Jerry Colangelo as managing director of USA Basketball, with the Warriors’ Steve Kerr serving as coach.
Along with Garland, Allen and Young, Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal has been linked to the squad.
“Everybody wants to go to Paris,” Garland said, via Vardon. “… “Representing my country means a lot to me. I’ve been in USA Basketball since I was 16 and I’ve never won a gold medal. That’s something I really want to do, something I’m going to accomplish.”
Allen said he has yet to be contacted by Team USA, but indicated he is eyeing a spot on at least the training camp roster.
“I understand that there’s not a lot of traditional bigs like that in America, like the back-down bigs,” Allen said, via Vardon. “Even I’m not even really like that typical, I guess, European basketball big in terms of just banging down there. But I’m here to fill a role, whatever they need, and I feel like I can fit into any role.”
Others mentioned by Vardon as possibilities include Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant and power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson, Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball and Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards.
Vardon also listed 76ers center Joel Embiid as someone who may consider a spot on the team as “the wildest of wild cards.”
The previous version of Team USA at the Olympics was coached by the Spurs’ Gregg Popovich and led by the likes of Nets forward Kevin Durant, Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, Celtics guard/forward Jayson Tatum and Beal, winning the gold in Japan.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
