Lakers News: Statuses Of LeBron James, Anthony Davis Finalized For Paris Olympics
Veteran Los Angeles Lakers All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis will both be suiting up for their national team this summer, although they will not be joined by shooting guard Austin Reaves, who was one of the better players on the 2023 FIBA World Cup team.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that Davis and James will join a loaded group of All-Stars for this year's 2024 Paris Olympics.
As coached by Golden State Warriors leader Steve Kerr, Team USA will also include Kerr's Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry, All-NBA Phoenix Suns power forward Kevin Durant and ALl-Star Suns combo guard Devin Booker, All-NBA Boston Celtics power forward Jayson Tatum and probable All-Defensive Celtics forward Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid, Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, All-Star Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, and All-Star Indiana Pacers Tyrese Haliburton. A 12th and final roster spot remains open.
James, who at age 39 is currently the oldest player in the NBA, has previously played on three Olympic squads, most memorably the 2008 and 2012 gold medal-winning sqauds in Beijing and London. He was also on the infamous bronze-winning Athens club in 2004, coming off his rookie season. The 20-time All-Star seemed inspired to return to international play in part due to Team USA's poor finish at last year's World Cup.
Davis played alongside James on the 2012 Olympic team, which marks his only prior experience playing in the tournament (he also suited up for the gold-winning 2014 FIBA World Cup squad). He made his ninth All-Star team this season.
Before the Olympics can tip off, however, the Lakers have a postseason to think about. That starts tomorrow, with LA's 7-8 matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. The winner of that game will earn the No. 7 seed and probably a first round exit against the reigning champion Denver Nuggets. The loser, however, will play the winner of the 9-10 West play-in game. The victor of that game will go on to play against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, who despite being the No. 1 team in the conference seem much more susceptible to an upset than the veteran-laden Nuggets.
