NBA Super Team Possibilities After Team USA's Gold Medal Win

Exploring NBA Super Team Potential After Team USA’s Gold Medal Victory

Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean — Now, for the question you’ve been eagerly pondering for the past three weeks regarding the Team USA men’s basketball “Avengers”: With their gold-medal goal successfully achieved, which players from this star-studded lineup might team up on an NBA franchise in the future?

Given the national team’s rich history of forming elite squads, this inquiry is only natural. The Miami Heat trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, which came together in 2010, had its roots in USAB, as these players grew close while participating in the 2006 FIBA World Cup in Japan and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Similarly, the Golden State Warriors dynasty was built on connections formed during international play, with Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala, and Stephen Curry bonding in Turkey at the 2010 FIBA World Cup before uniting six years later (Iguodala and Durant were also teammates on the 2012 Olympic team in London).

Recently, NBA veteran and ESPN commentator Kendrick Perkins revealed that during the London Olympics, James Harden was encouraged by his superstar teammates to leave his sixth-man role with the Oklahoma City Thunder and seek a more prominent position elsewhere, eventually leading him to become the centerpiece of the Houston Rockets by that October.

However, the tricky part of this phenomenon is that it’s challenging to determine whether any of these All-Stars are genuinely considering playing together in the future. The process is rarely straightforward, as various developments within each player’s respective NBA team must unfold before their Team USA relationships can come into play. Additionally, the freedom of free agency often complicates matters.

That said, when it comes to the relationships that have seemingly blossomed over the past four weeks — from Las Vegas to Abu Dhabi, London, Lille, and the City of Light — a few connections are worth emphasizing and observing.

One crucial factor that always plays a pivotal role in whether stars decide to unite is the competitive status of their current teams. With that in mind, we start with two legends, both in the twilight of their careers, who collectively boast eight NBA championships but whose teams were eliminated by the end of April.

LeBron and Steph

This duo deserves top billing, especially considering what transpired at the February trade deadline when it was revealed that Curry’s Warriors made an unsuccessful bid to acquire LeBron from the Lakers. This intriguing breadcrumb, especially after years of fierce rivalry during their numerous Cavs-Warriors NBA Finals encounters, suggests two significant points that remain relevant:

Curry’s approval of the idea reflects a level of comfort between the two, even before they collaborated so harmoniously to secure Olympic gold.
The Warriors evidently had insight suggesting this was a proposal worth exploring; at the time, James was approaching free agency, raising questions about whether he would remain in Los Angeles, prompting a conversation between Warriors owner Joe Lacob and the Lakers’ Jeanie Buss.

Ultimately, James signaled his preference to stay with the Lakers, causing the idea to fade away. He subsequently signed a two-year, $101.4 million deal, which includes a player option for the second year and a no-trade clause. This dynamic could resurface if the Lakers struggle in a manner that prompts James to reconsider his strategy in these final years of his career. Notably, Team USA/Warriors coach Steve Kerr seemed to click with James throughout the Olympic journey.

However, one significant obstacle remains: Bronny James is now a member of the Lakers. It’s hard to envision LeBron wanting to leave now that his son is wearing the purple and gold. So, could the 36-year-old Curry become so frustrated with the lack of support in Warriors World that he decides to join forces with the 39-year-old James and fellow Team USA star, 31-year-old Anthony Davis? While it seems unlikely given Curry’s stated goal of spending his entire career with the Warriors, it’s essential to remember that he is a fierce competitor. He just witnessed his beloved backcourt mate, Klay Thompson, depart this summer while the team struggled to land significant acquisitions like Paul George and Lauri Markkanen.

In light of this backdrop, Curry’s comment to Yahoo! Sports’ Vincent Goodwill during Team USA’s Las Vegas training camp in early July is noteworthy: “It’s always been my goal, and I’m saying that sitting in this chair right now. But like you said, life, and especially life in the NBA, it is a wild environment, and things change quickly.”

Regarding Curry’s contract, he has two seasons remaining ($55.8 million and $59.6 million) and can add an additional year via extension this summer. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has made it clear that the organization wants Curry to stay, stating that Curry can have “whatever he wants” and expressing confidence that he will remain a Warrior for life.

It’s nearly impossible to predict how these superstar pairings might materialize in advance, compounded by the ever-looming Father Time factor, making it uncertain how long both James and Curry can maintain their elite levels of play.

What is evident, however, is that Curry and James played exceptionally well together during the Olympics, with James earning the MVP title and consistently performing at a high level, while Curry emerged as a hero for American basketball by delivering spectacular performances in the final games. Their evident enjoyment of each other’s company, characterized by playful interactions during practices and shared celebrations after victories, is equally significant.

After the gold medal game, following Curry’s clutch performance against France, James posted a photo that perfectly encapsulated their shared camaraderie.

KD and Steph

The post-game news conference after Team USA’s gold-medal victory featured Kerr, Curry, and Kevin Durant expressing mutual admiration, a sight that seemed unimaginable five years ago. From the outset of the Olympics, both Durant and Curry demonstrated a deep respect for one another.

When Durant departed Golden State for Brooklyn, there was considerable baggage from their three years together. Despite Durant nearly achieving three consecutive championships, injuries led him to seek a new environment. Over time, however, feelings have evolved, and both players showcased their admiration throughout Team USA’s journey.

Curry consistently acknowledged Durant’s impressive legacy, referencing his four gold medals and status as the best Team USA player ever. Conversely, Durant spoke glowingly of Curry, both as a player and a person.

Nevertheless, while the Warriors are on the lookout for another superstar, and Durant certainly fits that profile, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia recently stated emphatically that the 35-year-old Durant was not going anywhere, which raises questions about the future.

What if the Suns underperform again? Or if Durant, along with fellow Team USA members Devin Booker or Bradley Beal, decide to seek greener pastures? Only time will tell, but the Suns’ first-round exit in last season’s playoffs was not the beginning any of them had anticipated.

Booker and … Kerr?

Towards the end of the gold-medal game news conference, as the players fielded numerous questions about Curry, Durant, and James, Kerr seized the microphone and remarked, “Devin Booker is an incredible basketball player.” Kerr, who started Booker in every Olympic game, praised him for averaging 11.7 points (team-best 56.5 percent from 3) and 3.3 assists, stating, “Nobody asked about him, (but) he was our unsung MVP. I just wanted to say that.”

Curry, in turn, shared Kerr’s remarks on his Instagram story, captioning it with “Damn straight!!!” while tagging Booker’s account. For someone like Kerr, who typically must navigate NBA tampering rules, the Team USA setting allowed him the freedom to express genuine admiration for another team’s star, which could prove advantageous for future recruitment.

That said, it’s essential to recognize that the Suns are closely monitoring the aspirations of both Durant and Booker. For instance, the Houston Rockets have expressed interest in acquiring Booker. However, Ishbia has firmly denied any notion that the Suns will dismantle their roster, emphasizing their commitment to Booker, who is under contract for four more seasons at approximately $220 million.

Booker himself echoed this sentiment during Team USA’s training camp in July, stating, “I mean, I’ve never seen an owner do something like that before. It just shows you what type of guy Mat is. He’s all in (on) the group that we have. We believe in the group that we have and the talent that we have. It’s not easy to win (a title), so I think having that hurt together and that experience together in the playoffs is going to help us moving forward.”

The Rest

In reality, we could delve into these captivating scenarios indefinitely. Anthony Edwards and Durant developed a strong friendship, showcasing their chemistry during Team USA’s second unit. But does that mean the 23-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves star might try to convince his idol to join him in the frigid Midwest? It’s unlikely from both ends, especially considering Minnesota’s recent success and Edwards’ rapid rise as a star player.

Joel Embiid was in dire need of assistance a few months ago, yet the Philadelphia 76ers appear poised for their next championship run after acquiring George in free agency and re-signing Tyrese Maxey. Could Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo — whose running mate, Jimmy Butler, is set to become a free agent next summer — find the support he desperately seeks among his Team USA colleagues? While possibilities exist, no clear connections have emerged yet.

Indeed, the potential for new super team formations is endless, but the landscape remains as unpredictable as ever.

Required Reading