As the countdown to the 2024 Olympics continues, USA Basketball head coach Steve Kerr faces significant decisions as training camp commences Saturday, potentially involving LeBron James coming off the bench. Sources from USA Basketball, as reported by The Athletic’s Joe Vardon, suggest that such a scenario is unlikely despite viable options for forming a starting lineup without the Lakers superstar. Kerr recently addressed the issue with reporters, stating that no final decisions have been made yet:
“We’ve discussed it extensively. It’s a good problem to have, but with all 12 players potentially future Hall of Famers, selecting a starting five is challenging. The goal is to find combinations that gel well and create effective two-way lineups.”
“Our main task in Las Vegas is to identify five-player lineups that work well together and to ensure all 12 players are fully committed to the goal of winning a gold medal, regardless of the situation or who is on the court.”
Under typical circumstances, James would unquestionably be a starter. The 2024 USA Basketball team is one of the most talented groups ever assembled, especially since Kerr recently confirmed that all 12 players, including Kawhi Leonard, are expected to be fit for the beginning of training camp.
