What Could The 2028 Men's Olympic Basketball Team Look Like?
They'll Be Here Sooner Than Fans Can Imagine
The 2024 Olympics have brought fans quite possibly the best U.S. national team for basketball since the infamous "Redeem Team" in 2008. After an embarrassing loss in the 2023 FIBA World Cup to the likes of the Canadian national team, LeBron James decided it was time for one final hoorah at the 2024 Olympics. Given that it's James' final Olympic games, the Lakers' star decided to call up the likes of perennial NBA All-Stars Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and more amongst a bundle of the NBA's best and most vital players. James formed a super team, one that is the heavy favorite going into the parisian games, but most of the team shares a similar attribute: their age.
When James recruited his team, LeBron heavily leaned toward experience over youth. James is 39, Steph Curry of the Warriors is 36, Kevin Durant is 35, and Kawhi Leonard is 33. These four make up the central core of the national team's squad, with the first three likely starting and Leonard being a crucial rotational piece. With so many critical pieces already being older than the standard for Olympic athletes, it begs the question: who will compete during the next Olympics? Before identifying a few likely candidates, the cut-off age for this article is 32 years old. If a player is already at least 32 years old, they will not be considered for the 2028 team, as it is unlikely someone who is (minimum) 36 will be able to hold their own.
The Stars
These five players are the faces already on the team. They will not only get experience in Paris this year but will also be expected to replace LeBron, Curry, Durant, and others as the main players on the team.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Tatum is coming off his first ring in the NBA and shows no sign of slowing down. Because of this championship, Tatum was awarded a massive 313 million-dollar contract that will be paid out over five years. Tatum will be playing in Paris this year, and given that the star is already a starter for the Olympic team, it makes sense that he will lead the team in a few years.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
The University of Georgia product burst onto the scene in the NBA this year and captured the hearts of young and old fans, garnering comparisons to Michael Jordan himself. The Olympic team saw the talent in the young star and selected him to be a part of the 2024 team. Given that Edwards is only 22, he'll likely be hitting his prime around the 2028 Olympic games.
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Davis is 31 years old, barely making it onto the list. Regardless of his age, though, Davis will likely be the experienced and veteran leader for the national team in 2028. Davis is still one of the NBA's best defenders in the paint, going toe-to-toe with the world's best nightly. He will likely be one of the oldest players on the 2028 squad but will still contribute heavily to the defensive presence down low.
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Speaking of defensive presence for the U.S., Adebayo is also one of the NBA's best, and is only 26 years old. The Heat rewarded Adebayo with an annual salary of just over 55 million dollars to help bolster the defensive side of the ball. He will provide depth, experience, and defensive capabilities needed for the 2028 Olympics.
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
The Iowa State product is the final man from the current team who will help lead the squad come 2028. Haliburton dazzled the NBA this year, leading the league in assists and helping take the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals. Team USA will need a facilitator to help get the ball to all the stars, which will be Haliburton's sole job.
The Candidates
These are five players who could have made this year's Olympic team but just missed the cut due to the high level of talent already on it. Give them a few years, and they'll likely be the front runners for the team in 2028.
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Brunson was arguably the biggest snub of players who did not make the 2024 Olympics team. Brunson set the NBA on fire in the second half of the year, dragging a brutally injured Knicks squad to game seven of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The Knicks guard consistently averaged over 30 points a night in the playoffs and boosted himself to a household name. There is no doubt he'll be on the team in 2028.
Karl Anthony-Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
While Towns was the first overall pick in 2015, the Kentucky product is only 28 years old. Given that his teammate, Anthony Edwards, is already solidified as one of the team's leaders, bringing his running mate along would make sense. Towns is statistically the greatest shooting center of all time and would give size to a team that. could need it.
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
While Mitchell might be leaving Cleveland soon, it is shocking that he has yet to represent the USA in a significant way. Mitchell has been one of the NBA's best pure scorers and helped lead Cleveland to the second round of the playoffs before losing to the Boston Celtics. With his incredible athleticism, ability to handle and pass the ball, and solid defense, Mitchell is an ideal candidate for the 2028 team.
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
While Banchero is young, there is no doubt that the Duke product will help represent the U.S. in 2028. Banchero led the Magic with 27 points per game this year and took them to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. He is still young, at only 21 years old, but he will absolutely be a crucial part of the 2028 team when he turns 25.
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Brown was another player widely considered a snub by this year's squad. Before the season, Brown was given the largest contract in NBA history, worth over 300 million dollars. While initially baffled at the decision to pay him so much, fans realized his worth as he stepped up numerous times to help the Celtics win the NBA championship. Brown took home Finals MVP this year and will likely bring his clutch performances to the 2028 Olympic team.
The Prospects
These are five guys whose names fans haven't heard of yet or are just becoming aware of. At most, everyone in this category is going into their second year in the NBA and will have a chance to compete for a spot on the 2028 Olympic team.
Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
While everyone gushed about Victor Wembanyama during the 2023 NBA draft, Brandon Miller went second to the Hornets and had an excellent rookie year. He averaged over 17 points per game on 37 percent shooting from three-point range. Miller's numbers are outstanding for a player at only 21 years old. He will surely give range and spacing to the 2028 team if selected.
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Holmgren battled Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year throughout most of the season. While he lost out to the French star, Holmgren cemented himself as a defensive force who can space the floor and be a precious asset to the men's team in 2028. Regardless of a few injury concerns with the slender big man, Holmgren will dominate for the U.S. if he is healthy.
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Castle was the fourth pick out of UCONN to San Antonio in this year's draft. The 6'6 guard won two national championships at UCONN and cemented himself as one of the best draft prospects in this year's rookie class. Given his raw defensive skills and stellar abilities to score the ball, Castle could likely become a crucial player to the 2028 men's team.
Cooper Flagg, Duke
If fans haven't already heard his name, they will soon. Flagg is one of the most hyped prospects ever, already being touted as the consensus number-one pick in the 2025 NBA draft. While he still has yet to play in college, Flagg could likely make the 2028 squad. A video was already leaked of him outdoing Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, and other current stars at only seventeen years old. Once he is 21, he will be the U.S. men's prodigy and one of the faces of U.S. basketball.
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
While overshadowed by Flagg, Ace Bailey is not a name to forget. HE is already projected as a top-five pick in the 2025 NBA draft. He will play this season at Rutgers, alongside fellow top prospect, Dylan Harper. At only 17 years old, Bailey stands at 6'8 and 210 pounds. With incredible length, defensive ability, and athleticism, Bailey is already on the watchlist for the next up in the NBA.
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