LeBron James wants to play in the 2024 Olympics and has started recruiting other veteran stars to join him, multiple sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic.
James reached out to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, who are all planning to be part of the team next summer in Paris, Charania adds. Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox and Kyrie Irving are also interested in participating, according to Charania’s sources.
Team USA is coming off a fourth-place finish at the World Cup, but Charania reports that James’ team-building efforts started well before that tournament and aren’t related to the disappointing result. Charania points out that although the U.S. has failed to medal in the last two World Cups, it has won four straight Olympic golds and James wants to see that streak continue.
James was part of gold medal teams in 2008 and 2012, but he hasn’t played in the Olympics since then. He will be 39 in December, and sources tell Charania that he and Durant, who will turn 35 later this month, are viewing the 2024 Games as their “last dance” with USA Basketball.
They have both talked to Curry, who will be 36 next summer, about forming the core of the U.S. team, Charania adds. Curry has never played in the Olympics, but he has two World Cup gold medals.
Charania states that USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill refused to comment on the reported interest from James and other stars, but he is aware of it.
Alright Euro fans, tell us how your teams will beat our “aging stars” in Paris.
Give it up already
You will only hear how unfair it is for team USA to have allstars.
Draymond an all star? LOL try again
He was a all star and as WC proved you need defense unlike JJ getting in foul trouble every game.
Totally realistic, a good Euro team will eat Lechoke & co for breakfast
Laughable takes from Le4f.
LOL please stop. If Lebron gets 2 or 3 of the guys he is asking this is OVER.
Have your physician increase your medication. Stronger doses are necessary for you.
You might be the dumbest dude on this site if you think LeBron is losing to any country on the international stage
This is all Noah Lyles fault
I need help. More help. Please help me. Someone help. Please let’s team up. I can never do it by myself with people watching. Dunk contest no way. If I look bad I will never be the same. That’s why I always play it super safe. 20 games off a season sounds about right. Never made a clutch shot
Players shouldn’t be allowed to pick and choose your team USA tournaments. Either commit for 5 years or forget about it.
That’s the spirit. Now go tell Grant Hill exactly how you feel.
We need a dedicated Sr National Team like the other countries have in order to do so.
I put forth a plan in my other fourm that had a serious number of the right players seeing their next move.
Is he going to require Bronny to be on the team? Just a thought…
LeBron is just talking he will not be the recruitment person for 2024 team. If he says Bronny or no me then he will not be on the team. LeBron will be a 2nd team player not a starter on that team
Rrrrrrrrrrrright…
Well we had the equivalent of the JV or 9th Grade squad out there.
So a couple guys from that squad, and the real elite NBA players for the Olympics and I don’t see how the US loses.
Basically call in your older brothers to handle some ish talkers.
They were all going to play regardless of LBJ. Besides, it’s Grant Hill’s job to recruit and he has been doing it all along.
Always the same, recruiting other stars
LeRecruiting
Teams usually have at least one college player and this team will include Bronny James
Bron GM ……. at it again.
Americans still think all you need is all star team to win. LOL.
LeBron and his buddies (Wade, Melo, CP3) lost their initial FIBA World Cup tournament in 2006. Then came back to win in the AmericaCup in 2007 and the Olympics in 2008. Three summers playing under international rules together made them a stronger group with each passing year. The hope was it gave us a sustainable model. Not merely a single generation of players who could play the international game.
Bringing back LeBron & Co. in their golden years to save the day is every fanboy’s dream. But for USA basketball it’s a sign of weakness, not strength. A statement that we really don’t have a model for building a national team that can play to its talent under international rules (more like, we did it once, so let’s milk that for all its worth). If this needs to happen, then OK, but at least Grant Hill and the current board should resign.
I’d love to see Lebron play on a 4th placed team…
Lebron
Durant
Tatum
Booker
A. Edwards
J. Brown
Bam
Fox
Halliburton
J. Allen
M. Turner
Lamelo Ball
I like Lebron taking a page out of the Kobe playbook. Him and Durant take the young guys and show them what it really takes to be great. This team has size, shooting, and passing. Lebron has the ability to check all egos and teach team ball. Durant can be the Carmelo to Lebrons Kobe.Forget about the old guys like Curry, Paul, Draymond, A. Davis. They’ve earned the time off. This is a great way to let Lebron and Durant change this next wave of NBA stars. Hopefully out of this group there will be another Kobe/Lebron to take leadership for future generations. The rest of the world is catching up fast in basketball. I appreciate Lebron taking control and seeing the writing on the wall.
Although Lebron and Durant are villains to NBA fans, myself included. They are the two best of the generation and will do wonders for the future of USA born players by leading a team to Olympic Gold.