Kevin Durant just got done with his summer vacation. He’s planning to go to France for work next summer, and plenty of other big NBA names hope to join him.
Durant — along with many other top players, including LeBron James — said Monday at media days being held around the league that he plans to play for his country at next summer’s Paris Olympics, when the Americans will try for a fifth consecutive gold medal. If he plays and the U.S. wins, Durant would be the first men’s player with four basketball golds.
“I will play in the Olympics next year,” Durant adamantly said at Phoenix’s media day.
James indicated the same.
“I do have a lot of interest in playing in Paris,” he told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “There’s a lot to be had here with the Lakers [first], obviously, in this season. But I got a lot of interest in playing in Paris with Team USA. I have a history of playing with Team USA. Obviously everyone knows that. And we have a lot of great players here in America.”
When asked if he has been working behind the scenes, recruiting players to join him in France, James told ESPN: “We’ve been in communication.”
Others expressed the same sentiment: Bam Adebayo has said he’s committed to the team, while DeMar DeRozan, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Khris Middleton, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Fred VanVleet and Brook Lopez are among those who indicated they would play if asked. Kyrie Irving said the same at Dallas’ media day last week, and Draymond Green previously indicated that he wants another Olympic opportunity.
LA Clippers stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard also said they would consider competing for Team USA.
This much is clear: There are 12 roster spots and a lot more than 12 interested players.
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