Kyrie Irving and Harrison Barnes will fill the last two spots on the U.S. Olympic basketball team, writes Brian Mahoney of The Associated Press. The roster will be formally announced Monday in New York. Ten players committed earlier, but Mahoney reports that openings were left for Irving and LeBron James, who both asked for more time to decide after playing in the NBA Finals, which ended Sunday. James opted not to make the trip to Rio de Janeiro.
Barnes joins Warriors teammates Klay Thompson and Draymond Green on the roster, along with Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler and DeAndre Jordan.
There’s more news tonight from around the basketball world:
- The State of Florida has dropped first-degree attempted murder charges against former D-League All-Star Eric Griffin, according to D-League Digest. Griffin last played in the D-League in 2014/15, when he was a third-team all-league selection and a second-team all-defensive choice. He played in Dubai this season and may be ready for a shot at the NBA now that his legal case has been resolved.
- Despite rumors, Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina won’t be leaving to take a job in Spain, tweets international journalist David Pick. “I have no contact with Barcelona,” Messina said. “I’m a happy Spur.”
- Several NBA teams are interested in former lottery pick Jan Vesely, according to Sportando. The Mavericks, Nets and Pelicans are the teams listed as suitors for Vesely, who was selected sixth overall by the Wizards in the 2011 draft. Vesely played for Fenerbahce in Turkey this season and is a free agent. He is expected to get offers in the range of $30MM over three years.
- Greek star Giannis Bourousis is ready to take a shot at the NBA, reports Aris Barkas of Eurohoops. “I would go to any NBA team,” said the 32-year-old seven-footer. “I just want to be there, after 14 years in Euroleague.”
We will still win gold but Harrison Barnes? I would give it to someone more deserving.
Eric Griffin is Blake Griffins brother right?
Jan Vesely getting 10 mill per year offers for the NBA or Turkey? NBA is way to much.
no his brother is Taylor
A lot of guys backed out for injury reasons/rest/Zika virus thing. I don’t know who else would’ve been available but I guess the allure of being able to play him at the 2/3/4 would’ve been a deciding factor.
No his nrother is Taylor
Brother
I don’t care of much the cap rises, Vesely shouldn’t get more than a one year deal and shouldn’t be averaging 10M. The money is greater in the game but if you are just giving a roster spot to someone, why not to a guy who is hungry? Why not to a guy willing to take less? It’s tough to find really good NBA caliber basketball players but Vesely has shown he isn’t that. Throwing 30M at him won’t make him a better ball player.