I know it’s early, but after the spectacle of the 2024 Olympic basketball tournament, I am riding a team USA high. In many ways, the 2024 team was a sendoff to an NBA era (and Team USA era). That means, 2028 is the beginning of a new era. One where USA has to establish a new national team for the next generation. Here’s what I think it should look like (projections for some players, obviously).
PG: Haliburton, Maxey, Thompson SG: Ant, Booker SF: Flagg, Hart* PF: Tatum, Banchero C: Holmgren, AD**, Bam
*Kevin Durant has expressed possible interest in 2028, he would replace Hart. **AD has expressed interest in 2028. I see this as more likely than KD. If AD doesn’t play, JJJ/Mobley would be top replacement options.
They’ve obviously groomed Haliburton to be Team USA’s future PG. Maxey seems like an obvious riser, who by 2028 could be one of the games best. I pick him over a guys like Ja, Brunson, Fox (yes, they’re all great) because I think he will be a better natural fit. He can play on or off ball. I think he’s capable of stepping up on defense (the Olympics forces that out of players). He gives us an athletic edge over most guards. And he’s a tough shot maker (and has looked clutch so far). The team needs a Jrue Holiday replacement also. Thompson is that guy for me. He is an asset on defense to this team (super versatile). Something they obviously value. He also gives the team an extra playmaking threat with his passing ability. Maybe he’ll develop some offense by 2028 too.
Anthony Edwards is probably the new face of Team USA. Book has proven twice that he’s a super valuable role player to team USA. 2028 should be a nice send off for his Olympic career.
Cooper Flagg may also be one of the new faces of the team. He’s one of the current American prospects that offers clear superstar upside. This will also be a bigger opportunity for Tatum to be a key part of a gold medal team. Josh Hart seems like the perfect pick to be one of the teams versatile role players. Hart showed me in the 2023 playoffs that he can 1. Play deep into games and tournaments. 2. Play good defense. 3. Make 3’s. 4. Be a way better rebounder than he has any right to be. Perfect glue guy for this team. Paolo should be one of the key pieces off the bench.
Chet is the most obvious pick for the future of Team USA bigs. We will need his unique length to counter Wemby. And offer Wemby-esque benefits against other teams. Wemby shows that this skillset can be very effective in international play. Bam will be another valuable Olympic vet, going for a final gold. I sure hope AD plays again. He showed in 2024 that he is the right guy for the job. If he can run it back, it would be a big boost for the team.
Josh Hart will be 33 years old in 2028. I get that he’s a solid role player and the team needs guys like that, but I don’t think he’ll be in the mix at that age. Another guy like him and Derrick White will come along, don’t expect either to be in LA.
Hey now, it was my turn to post this next
Wait your turn like everybody else
In about a week, none of ya’ll will care about this temporary nationalistic pride of Team USA and go back to hating on individual teams.
Give it a rest. Just wait four years and find out then. All this hypothetical is a waste of time and not worthy of discussion.
I will care. Half of sports talk is hypothetical.
There’s good sports talk and then there’s bad ones. This is a bad one. But nonetheless, you’re entitled to post about it and see how many people are interested. My guess is not many would be because it’s a dead discussion.
I love Chet’s unique length
Can the mods just sticky this? Don’t need 20 posts an hour.
cooper flagg / someone who isn’t in the nba yet will be there.