NBA
Who is LeBron James trying to recruit for ‘Redeem Team 2′ at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris?
Ready to commit, LeBron James has reached out to Durant, Curry, and other players as he seeks to assemble the ideal Team USA roster for the 2024 Olympics.
Following another disappointing finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where Team USA missed out on a medal for the second consecutive time, losing to Canada in the battle for third place, attention is now shifting towards redemption at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Most of the NBA’s top American talent did not participate in the FIBA competition, and the expectation is that for next year’s Olympic Games, the United States can assemble a roster capable of securing a fifth consecutive gold medal.
While invitations and official commitments are still pending, some behind-the-scenes campaigning has already begun. LeBron James has reportedly expressed his desire to compete in the 2024 Olympics, as reported by The Athletic’s Chams Charania. He’s actively working to recruit fellow superstars to join him in Paris next summer.
LeBron James recruiting Team USA for Paris Olympics
The three-time Olympian and two-time gold medalist, who also holds the NBA’s all-time scoring record, is reportedly “ready to commit “for the upcoming summer and has already reached out to several stars, including Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, and Draymond Green, who are all prepared to make commitments as well. Additionally, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox, and Kyrie Irving have also shown significant interest in joining the team, according to league sources.
Charania reports that James, Curry, and Durant have all discussed the possibility of playing for Team USA next summer, considering it a “last dance” opportunity at the international level for these aging stars.
Notably, James, who last represented Team USA at the 2012 Games in London, will turn 39 in December. In London, alongside Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Durant, he helped the team go undefeated on their way to a gold medal. Durant was part of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics team that secured gold and was named MVP of that squad.
Curry, in particular, has strong motivation to win a gold medal, as it’s the only major accomplishment missing from his illustrious career, having never played for Team USA at the Olympics.
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If even half of the mentioned players commit to the Olympics, Team USA will have a significantly more talented roster compared to the one that participated in the World Cup, which they desperately need en route to Paris 2024.