Source: LeBron and Curry target Paris Olympics

NBA superstars including past gold medalists LeBron James and Anthony Davis have expressed strong interest in joining the U.S. men’s basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, sources told ESPN on Monday, as has Stephen Curry Considered making his Olympic debut.

Sources told ESPN that Curry has expressed interest in playing for his Golden State Warriors coach, Steve Kerr.

Several players who were part of the gold-medal winning Tokyo 2021 team but did not participate in this summer’s FIBA ​​World Cup, including Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker and two-time gold medalist Draymond Green, are also returning of candidates…, sources told ESPN.

Sources told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that Chris Paul, who won Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, is also considering competing in the Olympics again.

Kevin Durant has won three Olympic gold medals and is a candidate to compete again.

Team USA is trying to recruit Joel Embiid, who holds American and French citizenship, but the Philadelphia 76ers star has so far not committed.

Obviously, fitness will play a big role in team unity. James, Davis and Embiid have all battled various injuries late in the past few seasons.

James, 38, won bronze in 2004 and gold in 2008 and 2012. Davis won a gold medal in 2012 and was part of the World Cup-winning team in 2014 when he competed for Team USA.

The last three major international basketball tournaments have been held in Asia, where schedule changes and the coronavirus pandemic have made securing commitments from superstar players a challenge for the U.S. team.

USA Basketball CEO Grant Hill said participating in this year’s World Cup is not a requirement for the Olympic team.

The United States has won basketball medals at the past four Olympics but only two in the past six World Cups.

The United States failed to win a medal at the World Cup in Manila.