So much is surrounding U.S. Men’s basketball team (Paul George’s injury, Kevin Durant’s possible departure from Nike) that we almost forgot they still have to pick the final roster for the team. Recently, Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Milsap and WAshington Wizards teammates Bradley Beal and John Wall were cut from the team, dropping the number of finalists for spots to 16.
With only a few players like Durant, Houston Rockets guard James Harden and New Orleans star Anthony Davis returning from the 2012 Olympic team to represent, spots are up for grabs. Some players like Derrick Rose and Steph Curry should be locks to make the team, but here’s a look at a few who might not make it to Spain. Read along by following the arrows up above and tell us if you disagree.
-
-
Damian Lillard
It’s not that Damian Lillard isn’t a great point guard, but USA Men’s basketball has a almost unwritten “wait your turn” rule when it comes to these tournaments. Steph Curry and Derrick Rose were both members of the 2010 U.S. FIBA Cup team and Kyrie Irving was one of the last players cut from the 2012 Olympic squad. Only so many point guards will make the trip and it looks like Lillard might have a little longer of a wait than most would think.
-
Gordon Hayward
Hayward just signed a huge (for him) contract with the Utah Jazz for $62.9 Million dollars. But he still won’t make the U.S. Men’s roster. The reason being, he doesn’t do much better than anyone at his position. Toronto Raptors guard/forward DeMarr DeRozan just became an All Star and plays with more athleticism than Hayward. Expect the team to that route.
-
Chandler Parsons
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wanted Chandler Parsons bad enough, he went to the club to sign him on the spot. Parsons spent last season as the third best player on the Rockets behind Dwight Howard and James Harden. However, don’t expect him to play for Team USA this year. Parsons is the kind of player who does everything well, but nothing great. On a team like this, if you’re not a star like Durant or Rose, you have to be the best at one thing. Parsons doesn’t quite fit that.
-
Kenneth Faried
This might be a shocker, given how much energy, athleticism and defense that Faried brings. The New Jersey native might have his spot secured until Mason Plumlee got the bump to compete for a spot. The two have similar games but the Brooklyn Nets young forward is more a center, something Team USA desperately needs.
-
Kyle Korver
Every international team needs a shooter and Kyle Korver is definitely that. He hit 185 3-pointers last season, down from the 189 he hit in 2013. For his career he’s hit over 1,500 from beyond the arc in 11 NBA seasons, but there’s one reason he probably won’t make the team: Klay Thompson. The Golden State Warrior star is younger, stronger and a better defender than Korver. Not to mention he can also shoot as well as him (Thompson hit over 210 3-Pointers in the past two seasons).