After overcoming a slow start and prevailing to their fourth straight gold medal led by superstar Kevin Durant and head coach Gregg Popovich, Team USA basketball will more than likely be reshuffling their roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Especially considering that Durant, Damian Lillard, Draymond Green, and the other veteran stars of Team USA's gold medal-winning roster at the Tokyo Olympics will be past their prime or close to retirement by that point in their playing careers.
This past season when Bradley Beal had to drop out due to health and safety protocols, it became apparent that quite a few players had been snubbed or were deserving of stronger consideration for joining the US roster. With all this said, let's take a look at four NBA stars who must be on Team USA and given their due for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Donovan Mitchell
At this year's Olympics, Donovan Mitchell was originally selected to play for the US National Team before choosing to opt-out due to injury concerns and wanting more time for rest and recovery during the offseason. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Mitchell should definitely reconsider and fully participate.
With his well-rounded offensive game, tough defensive presence, and inhuman athleticism, Mitchell will definitely be a welcome addition to Team USA and will provide them with a much-needed boost in their backcourt. Currently a rising star in the NBA, Mitchell would be a great addition for the Americans and help them to continue their dominance on the world stage.
Zion Williamson
With his raw power and unmatched athleticism, Zion Williamson has shown what he's capable of when at full strength. Looking to make a big splash next season and continue expanding his game, Williamson has shown his superstar potential in the NBA. His ability to run point-forward, bang down low, and play much bigger than his size is what makes Zion such a force of nature on the basketball court.
Adding him to Team USA's frontcourt rotation would be an ideal move, especially after the trouble they were having with Rudy Gobert during their gold medal match against France. Shot blocking, rebounding, and put-back dunks are all strengths in Williamson's game that the Americans would definitely benefit from during their next Olympic run.
LaMelo Ball
During the entirety of the 2020-21 NBA season, LaMelo Ball put the entire league on notice when he showcased a wide range of skillsets and won the NBA Rookie Of The Year award. As a dynamic young point guard with a high All-Star ceiling, Ball will without question continue his rise to stardom and could one day be a league MVP and possibly an NBA champion. With that in mind, he should also get strong consideration to join Team USA basketball during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He would provide them with the ultimate floor general while displaying strong leadership qualities and the ability to continuously improve the play of everyone around him as he's already shown after just one season in the NBA. If the Americans are hoping to bring home the gold once again in 2024, then adding an exciting young talent like LaMelo Ball would improve their odds of accomplishing this and give them an exciting and new style of play at the point guard position.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
A multi-skilled combo big with lots of upside to his game, Jaren Jackson Jr. is exactly the type of player that is needed to bolster Team USA's very thin frontcourt. His ability to play both power forward and center gives the American's a versatile approach on both ends of the floor and can allow them to create mismatches and give them a strong counter to some of their bigger opponents like France, Spain, and Australia.
If there was a glaring weakness for the US National Team during the Tokyo Olympics, it was definitely their lack of size and depth on the interior. With a big body and skilled presence like Jackson Jr. who can provide relief at the power forward or center spot, this addition seems like a no-brainer.
Especially considering how apparent it became that they needed more help on the glass during their last few games in the tournament. Adding Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Team USA hoops roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics would be a great move that could help them nab a fifth straight gold medal.
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