Team USA roster reportedly set as James Harden withdraws
Two days after James Harden reportedly committed to play in the Tokyo Olympics, the Brooklyn Nets guard has withdrawn from the Team USA roster.
Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo told ESPN's Brian Windhorst that Harden will instead spend the summer focusing on recovering from the hamstring injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of the regular season and lingered in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Athletic's Shams Charania reports that Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant and Chicago Bulls guard Zach Lavine have committed to play in Tokyo. Based on earlier reporting, the addition of Grant and Lavine rounds out the full 12-man Team USA roster.
Team USA roster set, barring further changes
Per multiple reports, here's what Team USA will look like in Tokyo barring any further roster changes:
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks
Jerami Grant, Detroit Pistons.
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich will coach the team in Tokyo.
Team USA will seek its fourth straight gold medal in Tokyo and its 15th overall. Durant and Green are the only players returning from the roster that won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. While the roster is stacked with All-Star talent as usual, there are several notable players not joining the team for various reasons.
Several high-profile players opted out
LeBron James hinted to reporters after the Los Angeles Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs that he wasn't going to play. The 36-year-old has two gold medals and a bronze medal in Olympic play and struggled with injuries during the season.
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell reportedly withdrew from consideration to focus on recovering from an ankle injury that hampered him during the regular season and playoffs. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry also reportedly opted out. Why he chose not to play is not clear.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler and Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul also reportedly declined the chance to play in Tokyo.
Olympics taking place amid another shortened offseason
NBA players are facing a shortened offseason thanks to COVID-19 delaying the start of the 2020-21 season. Team USA is scheduled to start Olympic play on July 24. If the NBA Finals go to a Game 7, that would be played on July 22. The Finals are normally completed by mid-June.
The NBA plans to return to a normal schedule with an October tipoff next season, meaning players will face a second straight shortened offseason with less time to recover injuries and the rigors of an NBA season.
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