LeBron, Stephen Curry & Kevin Durant 'Prepared to Commit' to Olympics; Magic's Paolo Banchero Off Roster?
ORLANDO - Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero is expected to return to the United States soon after representing the country at the FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.
The U.S. team took fourth place in the tournament with a roster headlined by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and featuring Banchero. However, the Americans failed to medal for the second consecutive tournament ... the first time that's ever happened in history.
The Americans' unhappiness with the results has prompted the likes of players such as LeBron James, who will be 39 years old next summer, to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, LeBron is "ready to commit" to Team USA for next summer and is expected to field an American roster with future Hall of Famers.
"James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well," Charania writes. "Separately, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving also have serious interest in committing, league sources said."
With a heap of talent planning to play next summer, it could push some of the FIBA World Cup team off the roster, including Banchero.
Banchero, 20, averaged 9.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game during his FIBA World Cup run. He did not play in the United States' third place game against Canada due to illness.
There's still a lot of time between now and the Olympics, but if LeBron is trying to recruit some of his best buddies who are in their prime, Banchero may be on the outside looking in.
