Kevin Durant plus 11 more roster predictions for USA men's basketball at 2028 Olympics originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When the United States won gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics, most assumed it was the final ride in red, white and blue for LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
Not so fast, my friend... at least according to KD.
As reported by ESPN's Vincent Goodwill, Durant refutes the notion that 2024 was his last Olympics. "I didn't say I wasn't playing. LeBron [James] said he wasn't. You didn't hear that from me or Steph [Curry]... Hell yeah, I want to play."
Let's just assume for our purposes that come 2028, both Durant and Curry want to play in Los Angeles. For what its worth, ESPN's Marc Spears reported that Curry is likewise interested in a return.
There's an entirely separate (and valid) debate about whether either or both should even have a guaranteed spot two years from now, but we'll save that for another day.
MORE: All of Kevin Durant's records with Team USA
It's worth noting that new coach Eric Spoelstra certainly has a different style than former coach Steve Kerr, a factor that will undoubtedly play a significant factor in determining the final roster.
Who else projects to join Durant and Curry? Here are my picks, breaking down the roster into guards, wings and bigs. Remember, the goal isn't necessarily to pick the best individual players, its to pick the best team.
Roster predictions for USA basketball at 2028 Olympics
John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Guards
Alongside Curry (who will be 40), Anthony Edwards is a lock. With a glut of wing creators and the need to carry enough bigs to fend off Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, there's a real shot only two other true guards make the roster.
On first pass, possible contenders include Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell and Derrick White. Two more years of seasoning could also see the likes of Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, VJ Edgecombe, Keyonte George and Darryn Peterson crash the party.
Options, baby!
Given Spoesltra's preferences, its tough to imagine the roster not including a true steady hand. He'll also be sure to prioritize the two-way grit he's made a hallmark in Miami. You could honestly pick any two names from the crop above and walk away feeling confident. My guess he rolls with either Haliburton or Cunningham as his primary distributor along with Booker who embraced his reduced role as a super sub in Paris.
This roster will feel light on guards given the towering gold medal threats in France and Serbia.
Toughest snub: Tyrese Haliburton
Final prediction: Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards
Wings
Durant is Team USA's all-time leading scorer and even if Curry doesn't join him in 2028, its easy to see him taking on the 2008 Kobe role surrounded by mostly younger talent.
Both Durant and Jayson Tatum are effectively quasi-bigs in international play and both could certainly see stretches at the five. Jaylen Brown got snubbed in 2024 but he has certainly elevated his stature as an MVP contender in Tatum's absence.
I've got Spoelstra bringing five wings which leaves three spots for the following: Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes, AJ Dybantsa, Cooper Flagg, Jalen Johnson, Kon Kneuppel, Trey Murphy, Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Williams.
MORE:Why Kon Kneuppel's Olympic dream could soon be a reality
Flagg feels inevitable with the versatility, IQ and competitive edge that screams Heat culture. Spo will love him.
The last spot feels like its ear-marked for a specialist, either a shooter or stopper. The bet here is shooting and its tough to project any shooter over Kneuppel at the rate he's hitting as a rookie.
Toughest snub: Amen Thompson
Final prediction: Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Cooper Flagg, Kon Kneuppel, Jayson Tatum
Bigs
This is the ultimate respect for Wembanyama and Jokic.
Past iterations may have included one or two traditional bigs under the guise of playing wings up. But after barely surviving both Serbia and France the last time around, there's simply no way the United States can show up thin in the front court... even if its completely unnecessary against every other opponent.
With Spoelstra taking over, Bam Adebayo feels like a lock. That leaves two spots for a group that includes Jarrett Allen, Cameron Boozer, Jalen Duren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Evan Mobley and Isaiah Stewart.
Holmgren, who has a long-standing Wemby beef dating back to their U17 showdowns with at the Nike Hoop Summit, could very well play his way on or off this roster depending on how he looks against both Wembanyama and Jokic over the next two NBA seasons. If Spo wants to go full Bad Boy Pistons, Beef Stew would certainly stand his ground to protect American soil.
For now, its Mobley and Duren, the second of whom gives Team USA a true bruiser.
Toughest snub: Chet Holmgren
Final prediction: Bam Adebayo, Jalen Duren, Evan Mobley
| Name | Position | Age in '28 |
|---|---|---|
| Devin Booker | Guard | 31 |
| Cade Cunningham | Guard | 26 |
| Stephen Curry | Guard | 40 |
| Anthony Edwards | Guard | 26 |
| Jaylen Brown | Wing | 31 |
| Kevin Durant | Wing | 39 |
| Cooper Flagg | Wing | 21 |
| Kon Kneuppel | Wing | 22 |
| Jayson Tatum | Wing | 30 |
| Bam Adebayo | Big | 31 |
| Jalen Duren | Big | 24 |
| Evan Mobley | Big | 27 |