Damian Lillard has a stint with Team USA in his future sights, with every intention to don the red, white and blue during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Portland Trail Blazers guard was one of the many familiar faces missing from the convocation process in Las Vegas last month, but he's hopeful to participate in yet another redeem mission after the Americans finished seventh in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
“I plan on being a part of that. I plan on playing,” Lillard told James McKern of news.com.au.
Lillard is “definitely” hopeful to add some Olympic hardware to his already impressive NBA resume, but that might not be as easy as it was once believed to be. The Blazers dynamo turned down an invitation to participate in USA Basketball's process, choosing instead to film “Space Jam 2” alongside LeBron James, release his third rap album and travel to Asia for endorsement deals.
USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo had sour words after this recent Team USA fell off the medal stand, claiming he will remember those who he asked to take part in the process, but refused. Yet it's tough to fathom Colangelo having the luxury to not call Lillard to participate, given how dire the need for talent is going into this big of a competition.
Some NBA stars have chosen to save their legs for the Olympics instead of the World Cup, given that they're now taking place in back-to-back years, but some will find themselves unable to make the 12-man squad with so many star players looking forward to Tokyo.
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