Last week’s Team USA Basketball camp has concluded after a few days which included Kevin Durant doing whatever he wanted in a fun one-on-one setting. Many players that received invites, including LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, declined to attend the minicamp. The Team USA roster can change and add players, and it’s still early, but this is my prediction for the 2020 Olympic roster.
Kevin Durant
Barring something unforeseen, Kevin Durant is an absolute lock to lead Team USA in 2020. He’ll be 31 and will still be an elite player.
Paul George
If Paul George wants to play for the United States in the Olympics, he’s basically guaranteed a spot after he suffered a devastating leg injury in the red, white, and blue a few years ago. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s an excellent player.
Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving dished a team-high 39 assists for Team USA en route to a gold medal in 2016, and that was when he was just 24 years old. As a 28-year-old in 2020, Irving is a good bet to start at guard for the team.
Jimmy Butler
Irving and Jimmy Butler are great friends that had a blast in 2016, so them being together should be good for team chemistry. They could be on the same NBA team by 2020.
Anthony Davis
I don’t have any “big men” making the team except for Anthony Davis, as Cameroonian star Joel Embiid might not choose to play for Team USA.
James Harden
Despite being a member of the 2012 gold medal team, James Harden withdrew from the 2016 team. Now a league MVP, Harden might want to add more to his trophy case with a gold medal in Tokyo.
Victor Oladipo
Last season, Victor Oladipo ascended into an All-NBA player, and he might not be done. By 2020, he’ll be 28 and might be considered a top-five player in the league.
Jayson Tatum
It doesn’t take long to figure out Jayson Tatum is going to be really good in the NBA. And Boston is certainly going to be one of the league’s best teams for the next few years; Tatum could be front and center of that, and strong Team USA consideration would come with it. Right now, he’s off the roster pool, though.
Donovan Mitchell
Like Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell was not invited to the USA Basketball camp this year, but that can easily change. His length, athleticism, and shooting ability would be a perfect fit on Team USA.
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard would have to feel comfortable playing for former coach Gregg Popovich after forcing his way out of San Antonio, but if he wants to be on the roster he’s probably too good to leave off of it.
Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson was the fifth-leading scorer on the 2016 team in Rio, and that was after a cold start the first four games of the tournament. He can flat-out take over a game with his shooting ability.
DeMar DeRozan
After acquiring DeMar DeRozan from Toronto, you would think Gregg Popovich is going to have his new star player’s back when it comes to determining the 2020 Olympic roster. DeRozan was already a member of the 2016 team, so he’s an incumbent that seems likely to be representing in Tokyo.
Snake D can’t lead them