The United States men’s basketball national team is an Olympic dynasty. Team USA won their fifth consecutive gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics — and eight of the last nine — for the program. This specific USA team felt special for so many reasons, particularly due to the three most influential players of their era — playing together for the first time.
Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant led Team USA to gold. Those are three of the top 15 players in NBA history. Curry and James will be in their 40s in 2028 and have already indicated they won’t be playing. Durant will be nearly 40 by the time the Los Angeles Olympics comes around.
These legends that led the way and saved USA Basketball in Paris won’t be there in 2028. Team USA is undergoing a new phase— as the next generation of players will take over USA basketball. Team USA needs to build a new core at a time when the rest of the world continues to catch up and narrow the talent gap the U.S. has always had over the rest of the world. The state of USA basketball is in a perilous situation heading into the Los Angeles Olympics, and it will need to overhaul the roster to keep the consecutive gold medal streak alive.
A lot can happen in four years, but here’s my prediction for USA Basketball’s men’s roster at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Projecting the 2028 Olympic Team USA Basketball Team
Guards
- Anthony Edwards, G, Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards is the easiest choice for the 2028 USA roster. He was the youngest player on Team USA in Paris and will turn 27 years old during the Los Angeles Olympics. Looks to be the face of USA basketball moving forward, Edwards gives Team USA an explosive backcourt scorer with elite athleticism and tough shot-making ability at all three levels. He could be this team’s primary scorer.
- Devin Booker, G, Phoenix Suns: Booker was the unsung hero in Paris. He showcased his versatility and was consistent as a connective piece around Team USA’s “Big Three”. He’ll be 31 years old in 2028 and would be ready to step into a bigger role if he wants to play. He should easily have a spot if he wants it.
- Tyrese Haliburton, G, Indiana Pacers: Looking like the point guard of USA basketball moving forward, Haliburton was part of the 2023 World Cup team and 2024 Olympics team, but barely played in Paris. He’ll be 28 years old in 2028, and will likely go from the end of the bench to the team’s main catalyst.
- Ja Morant, G, Memphis Grizzlies: This may be the most conversational pick — due to his off-the-court issues. I believe he will get everything together and remind everyone how good he is. He’ll be 29 years old in 2028. I believe Morant is a safe bet to be a star producer in 2028 and arguably has the highest upside.
- Cade Cunningham, G, Detroit Pistons: This is my wildcard choice among the guards. Cunningham hasn’t received a lot of attention – due to being in arguably the worst situation in the league in Detroit. His size and versatility at the guard spot should be valuable for this team. He’ll be 26 years old in 2028 and should be one of the future of the program. Here’s a list of other guards I considered: Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, De’Aaron Fox, LaMelo Ball, Trae Young, Derrick White, Amen Thompson, and Jalen Suggs.
Forwards
- Jayson Tatum, F, Boston Celtics: Whether Tatum plays or not in the Los Angeles Olympics might be the biggest storyline for Team USA roster construction. Tatum in my opinion, was wrongfully out of the rotation by USA head coach Steve Kerr in Paris. He’ll be 30 years old in 2028, and could very well be the best player on Team USA. While it’s possible that his experience in Paris could deter him from playing, Tatum has been a part of USA basketball since high school.
- Paolo Banchero, F, Orlando Magic: Banchero should be a lock for the Los Angeles Olympics. Also has USA basketball — as he played for Team USA at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and has already chosen to commit to the United States over Italy. He’ll be 25 years old in 2028. He could potentially be one of the best scorers in the world in 2028 and has a game that works well for international ball due to his physical frame and the physicality he plays with.
- Scottie Barnes, F, Toronto Raptors: This may be a shocker to some, but the size and versatility of Barnes as a two-way forward works well and would be valuable for Team USA. He’ll be 27 years old in 2028. Barnes could be the glue guy who does all the little things for this team.
- Cooper Flagg, F, Duke: Flagg was the talk at USA training camp as he stood out among the best NBA players at just 17 years old. He’s being hyped as the next big thing in American basketball. Flagg will only be 21 years old in 2028 and will be one of the future of the program. Other names considered for this spot:
Bigs
The main headline regarding the bigs will be: Will Anthony Davis and/or Joel Embiid play for Team USA at the 2028 Olympics? I have my doubts. Embiid will be 34 years old, and his experience in Paris was not ideal. Davis will be 35 years old and already has a long injury history. My guess at the moment — is both players are out, which means the Americans need new bigs.
- Chet Holmgren, C, Oklahoma City Thunder: Holmgren is America’s “Unicorn Player”. Holmgren’s versatility with his perimeter skillset offense and rim protection on defense makes him America’s most promising young center for Team USA. He’ll be 26 years old in 2028, and will be in his prime, and should be one of the best bigs in the NBA.
- Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat: The question surrounding Bam: Will he sign up for a third gold medal run? Team USA will need him to do so. Adebayo will be 31 years old in 2028 and will provide more strength and physicality in the paint.
- Evan Mobley, C, Cleveland Cavaliers: The main question for Mobley will be: Will his offensive game improve enough to make this team? His rim protection and defensive versatility are elite, but he’ll have to expand and improve his offensive game to make this team. The center spot is the biggest question for Team USA in 2028. As of now, I give Mobley the nod over Jaren Jackson Jr., Dereck Lively II, Myles Turner, Jarrett Allen, Jalen Duran, and others.
Who are the next men up?
If Tatum, Booker, and Adebayo, turn down their invitations, who should Team USA be eying? Jalen Suggs may not be the popular name but I believe he can fill in the Derrick White role. Jaren Jackson Jr. already has FIBA experience (played in the 2023 FIBA World Cup) provides size, rim protection, and versatility (offensively and defensively). Keegan Murray is not the most popular name but this is a player I keep circling back to as a forward who can shoot threes with volume and provides good enough defense to stay on the floor. Zion Williamson is my wildcard for the 2028 team. Williamson hasn’t lived up to the hype thus far — mainly due to his inability to stay healthy. If he can prove himself to stay healthy, he’ll be a tough player to leave off the roster in 2028. He’ll only be 28 years old in 2028 and still has a chance to be the face of basketball in the US at that point in his career.
USA men’s basketball is entering its next era ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Let’s see how USA will replace NBA Legends — LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant! It will be fun to check back in four years to see how close we came to predicting the roster.
Main Image: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
