LeBron James is reportedly interested in playing for Team USA in the Paris Olympics in 2024.
This is on the heels of Team USA getting soundly embarrassed in the FIBA World Cup, losing three games and failing to even win a medal.
They were bullied in losses to Lithuania and Germany and again couldn’t get stops against Canada, allowing Dillon Brooks to go off for 39 points.
Something clearly needs to change if the US doesn’t want the same to happen in the 2024 Olympics next summer.
Enter LeBron James and his superteam.
What other stars should join LeBron James’ US superteam?
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (SUBSCRIPTION), LeBron James has indicated his interest in playing for Team USA in the Olympics and could be bringing some friends.
Apparently, James has also gotten commitments from Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green, with Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox and Kyrie Irving not far behind.
It makes sense for James, who has a chance to bolster his personal legacy with a third gold medal in the Olympics and a team with all of those names would be the runaway favorite to get it for him.
But Team USA would still need some work, and there are other stars that would complement this cast of All-NBA players.
What other stars should join LeBron James’ US superteam?
Joel Embiid
Bam Adebayo
Jalen Duren
Joel Embiid holds citizenship in three different countries, so landing the reigning MVP would be a big win for Team USA, which needs help protecting the rim and grabbing rebounds.
Team USA was dominated on the boards by Lithuania and Germany and could not come up with a stop late in the games. A commitment from Embiid and/or Bam Adebayo would help shore up those weaknesses.
But the team could also use bigs who don’t need touches to be effective, guys who will focus on grabbing rebounds, setting hard screens and doing the dirty work, so a young player like Jalen Duren from the Detroit Pistons would be a nice fit.
He’ll just hustle for every board, get the team second chances and help close out possessions and you’d never have to run a play for him.
Duren is a long way from Embiid or Adebayo, but LeBron’s superteam already has plenty of offensive firepower and players who need touches.
Detroit Pistons: Team USA could use Cade Cunningham
Cade Cunningham declined an invitation to play for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup, but he did play the role of Luka Doncic for the select team that beat up on Team USA in scrimmages.
But his role on a LeBron James superteam would be much different, though he could be the player who helps bring it all together.
Cunningham can make an impact in a variety of ways and be inserted into just about any lineup as a lead guard, shooting guard or wing. His size would help Team USA cover smaller guards like Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard defensively and he can slide in with either one on or off the ball.
This team will also need unselfish players who take as much pleasure in setting up other guys as they do creating for themselves, a description that fits Cunningham.
He’s a great rebounder for a guard, which would help that issue and has the physicality to bang with some of these teams that pushed the US around.
I am 100 percent completely biased here, but Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons would be a great complement to a superteam and I hope LeBron keeps him in mind when he is making the roster.