New Orleans Pelicans sharpshooter JJ Redick has turned down an invitation to participate in Team USA's upcoming training camp in Las Vegas, one that would render him eligible to make the final 12-man roster that will take on the FIBA 2019 World Cup in China, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Redick said he was “thrilled” to receive the invite, but torn upon making the decision to choose between a chance to honor his country and helping his family transition to New Orleans after he signed a two-year, $26.5 million deal with the Pelicans earlier this summer.
The marksman is one of 15-plus Americans that have turned down their invitation to take part in USA Basketball's quest for another gold medal due to an alarming offseason in which more than a third of NBA players have found a new home.
Stars are declining their respective invitations, some citing the adjustment to their new city and teammates, while others simply need the summer to recover from injuries or fatigue from long postseason runs.
No longer does Team USA boast the talents of Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and the now-retired Dwyane Wade, instead extending invites to D'Angelo Russell, Mike Conley, Jaylen Brown, Aaron Gordon, Marcus Smart, and others as replacement for the original list of 20 players called up.
Redick is fresh off a career-year with the Philadelphia 76ers and at 34 years old, this is likely his last chance to wear the red, white, and blue, unless a similar thing happens next year, where trials for the Olympics will kick into gear at the end of the 2019-20 season.
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