Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton’s Team USA competition for the 2024 Olympics: Fresh blood – Donovan Mitchell, De’Aaron Fox, and Trae Young
Steve Kerr and Team USA may have some concerns about the Olympics next year, but depth is not one of them. As a matter of fact, they have enough talent to field 10 competent rosters for international play.
The big concern is making sure they find the right fit among them, as you can field an amazing Olympic roster and still fall behind in games, due to chemistry, fit issues, or something else.
In terms of potential new blood that could make the team, Trae Young comes to mind immediately. Young was clamoring for a spot on this year’s FIBA team but was controversially left off the final roster, and a lot of people have been suspecting that Team USA would not have suffered that semifinal exit if Young had taken the place of Haliburton or Brunson on Team USA.
Although I disagree, as I doubt he would’ve helped much with the defensive and rebounding woes Team USA had down the stretch against Germany/
Trae will get his numbers yet again this season, but he not sniffing that USA team and that’s not me taking shots at him either.
— Niko (@nikotaughtyou) September 11, 2023
In addition to Young, there are some other young and flashy guards who could be vying for a spot, such as Ja Morant, De’Aaron Fox, LaMelo Ball, and Darius Garland. Coach Kerr could even think outside the box and pick some role players such as Derrick White or Alex Caruso.
Cade Cunningham is another name that could potentially make the roster, although that may only become an option if his injury concerns loosened a little bit.
In terms of other guards, Donovan Mitchell also seems like a big enough star to get an offer if Steve Kerr feels like they need another shot-creator and slasher. If a catch-and-shoot guy is a better fit to flesh out the roster, Morant’s Grizzlies teammate Desmond Bane would also be a good option.
Let’s focus our attention on Mitchell, Young, and Fox, however, as those are the best options to make the Olympic team, given the circumstances.
Current outlook: Mitchell goes into the “Probably” tier, while Fox and Young go in the “Maybe” tier, as Young may have soured his chances following his exclusion from the FIBA team this year.