[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Assuming some of the big names play, and ALSO assuming that Durant and Klay Thompson aren’t back 100% from their injuries then here is my roster for the 2020 Redeem Team 2.0 roster with no player from this year’s World Cup team on the roster (but with Donovan Mitchell possibly being the alternate).

Starters
 

PG Steph Curry

SG James Harden

SF LeBron James

PF Anthony Davis

C Draymond Green

Bench

PG Damian Lillard

SG Brad Beal

SF Kawhi Leonard

PF Zion Williamson

C Jaren Jackson, Jr.

Reserves

PG Mike Conley

SF Paul George

 

This is potentially a LOADED roster with more vets at the end of the bench (Conley and Paul George), but with some younger bigs in Zion and Jaren who can add some youth and explosiveness.  Jaren is also an ideal stretch 5 for international basketball, and he also has a solid post-up game.

The top potential alternates would be Donovan Mitchell, Kemba Walker, possibly Mitchell Robinson, Jayson Tatum, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marvin Bagley III, Kyle Lowry, and Kevin Love.

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 I wouldn’t put Jared Jackson and Zion on this team..not there yet and I think we have better options. Would Joel play for the American team? Also you got KAT, DJ, Drummond, etc. You need REAL centers to play international..Gobert was killing us and the rest of the countries have TRUE centers..Draymond wouldn’t stand a chance. 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

To be fair, for all intents and purposes AD would be the true center in this lineup, whatever position he prefers to play.  

[RigelzParticipant]

I’m not sure KAT wants to play for US…. Team USA has a big problem with centers… the NBA teams have left that role in the hands of foreign players and you can see the results…

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 ^^^^

Since the rest of my roster is loaded with veterans (last call for LeBron and maybe even Steph, Dray, AD, and the other guys), and the relative dearth of American-born bigs (at least in their youth/prime) I thought that Zion and Jaren were solid FITS.

Yeah, maybe BOTH guys don’t make it, but I think you can make a case for either one.  Zion gives me a Dream Team Sir Charles vibe (the BEST version of Charles Barkley) and Jaren is very toolsy, can hit the 3, guard from anywhere, and post up.  JJJ is not a great rebounder (or even mediocre rebounder) but he checks off a lot of boxes and can play either the 4 or the 5.

2020 looks like a transition year for Team USA.  Tons of solid vets, but maybe it is their last go-around (that’s even IF LeBron signs on), so then you need to phase in the new guys, particularly guys like Zion Williamson or Jaren Jackson, Jr. and probably Mitchell Robinson, Marvin Bagley III, and Wendell Carter, Jr., too.  Trae Young is a guy I forgot about, but maybe he is a bit young — with Steph, Lillard, and Mike Conley (my lifetime achievement award addition) duplicating Trae’s skill set.  The young guns like him might best be used (along with Ja Morant, Fox, and others) on the 2020 Select scrimmage roster, then have them hit the ground running in 2023/2024.

For sure, Team USA could have an AWESOME roster in 2020 (maybe one of our all-time greats) BUT it could be the last rodeo for many of our American-born icons.

 

[mowestenParticipant]

They should pick two NBA teams that mostly have an American born roster — say the Warriors and the Nets — and send them.

One group starts, the other comes off the bench. Chemistry issues and needed practice time, etc., are all off the table.  

[BlueRivers25Participant]

This team is winning Gold 

All Duke Team USA:

PG: Kyrie, Tyus Jones

SG: JJ, Rivers, Hood

SF: Tatum, Ingram, Winslow

PF: Zion, Parker

C: Bagley, Carter

Head Coach: Coach K

Assistant Coach: Quin Synder

 

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 This team doesn’t get past the 2nd round of the playoffs in the West.. 

[BlueRivers25Participant]

 This Duke team will lead the NBA in ratings and ESPN mentions, national TV games, and attendence. 

[SubZeroParticipant]

This team wouldn’t have even won the World Cup

[timinator1Participant]

Has star power, shooting, scoring and defense/interior toughness. Go Duke. 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

I kind of doubt that lebron would play in the olympics again at this stage of his career and kawhi has never really shown much interest in playing. I mean, I’m not saying it’s not possible they could be convinced but it’s not something I would count on. Let’s assume Durant isn’t likely to play either.  

Curry, lillard, and draymond have basically already committed, which is a good sign. The next logical targets should be Anthony Davis, Paul George, Klay (if healthy), and James harden. If they can get commitments from those guys than that forms a solid rotation that I would feel comfortable putting up against any country out there. 

Bradley Beal and KAT would be my next two targets. If they commit, that’s a really strong nine man rotation. For the final 3 spots I would basically hold an open tryout. That way you get young guys who are serious about playing (I don’t think many established veterans would be willing to try out). These are guys that will probably play a small role on the team if everything goes according to plan but could be groomed and would have a leg up to be part of future USA teams. 

 

 

 

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 Klay came out today and said he’s in. 

[ChewyParticipant]

 PG- Curry, Lillard, Westbrook

SG- Harden, Beal

SF- Leonard, Tatum

PF- Lebron, Griffin, Zion

C- Davis, D Jordan (or JAVALE MCGEE!!!!!!)

*I put more bigs in case of foul trouble

* Westbrook can play both guard spots

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 I rather have Klay instead of Tatum..Klay is pretty much the same height and better shooter..

[ChewyParticipant]

 but I was making the list under the assumption Klay and Durant are out due to injury.

I could see replacing a forward w/ P George…

[BlueRivers25Participant]

Tatum is taller than Klay

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 No matter what happens, 2024 will be a TOTALLY different team with a complete new look.  That is why I think we should try to get Zion and/or Jaren (maybe Donovan Mitchell) on this thing.  

I have LeBron and Kawhi both playing but maybe NEITHER play — then you look at some FIBA ’19 guys like Donovan Mitchell, as well as Jayson Tatutm.  A couple of youngsters who can be part of your 2024 core.

It is SUPER EARLY but 2024 could basically be Trae Young, Fox, Ja Morant, Anthony Edwards, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Zion, Jaren, Mitchell Robinson, and I might even put some 2021 guys in there already: Jalen Green, Terrence Clarke, and Evan Mobley.  Which would give you 12 guys.  

[HitsterParticipant]

 I’d think Gregg Poppovich might be putting in a few calls to some of the older big guns to see if he can interest them in returning for the Olympics. Get them thinking about the idea of another gold medal to stoke their egos as I’m certain Pops would want to be an Olympic Gold Medal winning Head Coach.

[pokieParticipant]

 You have to build the team to match the job. We just saw what everybody has. Some of these teams strengths don’t rise up off the page in the way that they should. But they are there. We can’t run away from these teams any longer. We have to match up and beat them. That means more bigs and more shooting.

Ball Handlers:

Steph Curry

Damian Lillard

Kyle Lowry

Wings:

Kawhi Leonard

Paul George

Kevin Durrant

James Harden

Klay Thompson

Post Players:

Anthony Davis

Karl-Anthony Towns

Al Horford

Andre Drummond

 

[BlueRivers25Participant]

KAT played with the Dominican Republic National team when he was 16 Coach by Calipari. Calipari took that gig to get a recruiting advanctage with KAT.

KAT not eligible for Team USA. 

[ChewyParticipant]

 I’ve never seen him mentioned for a Team USA roster. If we get to pick the best of the best he certainly would NOT make the team. But his skill set fits what Team USA needs in international competition.

I really wouldn’t mind seeing CJ McCollum take one of the bottom bench spots next summer.

[Author]

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