Halfway to LA28: Team USA Projections

[Donoghus]

We're exactly two years away from the 2028 Summer Olympics in LA.  ESPN just posted an article about rising & falling stock for the 2028 Team USA squad.  Spoelstra has already been named head coach and it sounds like Grant Hill will still be in charge of personnel.

It's pretty clear the world is catching up and fast. Who would you want on it or who do you project will be on it?

[Who]

No LeBron. No Durant.

Tatum should be the starting PF.

[Donoghus]

Gotta think Tatum, Bam, Cunningham, Edwards, Haliburton are locks.  Probably Cooper too.   Does Booker come back? 

[Goldstar88]

Gotta think Tatum, Bam, Cunningham, Edwards, Haliburton are locks.  Probably Cooper too.   Does Booker come back?

Team is going to need some size. Maybe KAT, Duren, Holmgren, or Mobley.

[Birdman]

LeBron will be there

[slamtheking]

LeBron will be there

hopefully as just a spectator

[Who]

Gotta think Tatum, Bam, Cunningham, Edwards, Haliburton are locks.  Probably Cooper too.   Does Booker come back?

Anthony Edwards should be the star of the team.

G: Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Haliburton
G: Anthony Edwards
F:
F: Jayson Tatum, Cooper Flagg

Team is going to need some size. Maybe KAT, Duren, Holmgren, or Mobley.

Chet would be great for international ball.

Does KAT play for the US or the Dominicans? I don't remember him playing for the US.

Duren is a solid option. Walker Kessler is another like Duren. Evan Mobley is okay. Donoghus mentioned Bam. Jaren Jackson Jr did not play as well as a center for Team USA. Needs to play PF alongside a fellow big man.

C: Chet Holmgren, Bam Adebayo

They are my top 2 choices.

[Who]

PF: Jayson Tatum, Cooper Flagg

Paolo Banchero is another competitor for a big forward slot. I wonder if either of this year's rookies - Caleb Wilson or Cam Boozer - can put themselves into the mix as well. Scottie Barnes is another option. Jaren Jackson Jr. Jalen Johnson.

Hmm ... maybe Cooper Flagg isn't a lock.

Strong competition for that PF spot.


Edit: AJ Dybantsa! I forgot AJ Dybantsa.

[gift]

Gotta think Tatum, Bam, Cunningham, Edwards, Haliburton are locks.  Probably Cooper too.   Does Booker come back?

Anthony Edwards should be the star of the team.

G: Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Haliburton
G: Anthony Edwards
F:
F: Jayson Tatum, Cooper Flagg

Team is going to need some size. Maybe KAT, Duren, Holmgren, or Mobley.

Chet would be great for international ball.

Does KAT play for the US or the Dominicans? I don't remember him playing for the US.

I thought KAT had already participated for DR which I think would make him ineligible for the US team. Not 100% sure on that though.

[Roy H.]

I'm going to guess no JB, lol.

[Who]

* The SF position is weaker. Jaylen Brown & Jalen Williams look the two best options.

*Due to the depth at PF maybe Team USA will play two PFs together at forward. Perhaps Tatum & Dybantsa at SF. Jalen Johnson & Cooper Flagg at PF.

* If they go small again and play a SG at SF, Ant makes the most sense but then ... there isn't that much depth at SG either. Darryn Peterson could be an option. Kon Knueppel. Desmond Bane. A return for D-White.

Actually, Knueppel would be great for international ball. He could play SF too. I like him there. Gives the team the floor spacing / 3pt shooting that both JB & J-Dub lack. He might be my preferred option there.