We now know the twelve players who will form Team USA at the Tokyo Olympic Games. If we can regret that Chris Paul and James Harden have finally declined, the group will still look very good. With in particular Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard or Jayson Tatum.
Radius last minute absences, Chris Paul and James Harden have therefore withdrawn. CP3, announced at first, must have said to himself that he eventually risked finishing the season relatively late. The Phoenix Suns lead 2-0 in the Conference final and will be able to count on their leader from Game 3.
At 36, he must have thought to himself that he would probably need a rest this summer. Especially since it is rumored that if he declines his player option for next season (44 million), it would be to request a contract of 100 million over 3 years. The team that accepts knows that it will not be able to count on a player of the current level of CP3 during the last year of this contract. Even the last two. Suffice to say that he has a better chance of selling himself by guaranteeing that he will not be flushed or injured next season after a FIBA campaign.
Chris Paul finally says no to Team USA, Jrue Holiday will replace him
For his part, James Harden was penalized by an hamstring injury during the playoffs. If the Olympics would have allowed him to regain his rhythm, there is no guarantee that he will be fully recovered for the preparation. He must have preferred not to take any risks.
Jrue Holiday having replaced Chris Paul in the list of 11 known before the withdrawal of James Harden, there were therefore two spots to be filled. The Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine and Jerami Grant complete the roster.
A roster which has therefore certainly lost some of its “star power”, but which nevertheless remains very impressive, despite a relative lack of size in the domestic sector.
Team USA 12
Guards : Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine
Forwards : Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Draymond Green, Khris Middleton, Bam Adebayo, Kevin Love, Jerami Grant
They declined the Olympics
For injury, to rest, to focus on free agency or to beat the bad guys with the Looney Tunes, these players chose not to go to the Olympics:
- LeBron James
- Anthony Davis
- Jimmy Butler
- Stephen Curry
- Donovan Mitchell
- Chris Paul
- Kyle Lowry
- James Harden
