"I want Steph, KD and LeBron winning the damn 3X3 gold" - NBA insider suggests interesting formula for Team USA to solve Olympic woes
While Team USA did well in five-on-five basketball in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the same cannot be said for the three-on-three teams. Looking ahead to the 2028 Summer Games, one NBA insider thinks he found a solution.
Seeing that they're all in their mid-to-late 30s, this year's Olympics were viewed as the swan song for LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry in international play. However, if one analyst can have his way, that won't be the case.
During a recent episode of the "Hoop Collective" podcast, a discussion broke out about Team USA's run in Paris. It was there that ESPN's Tim MacMahon said that the three superstars should compete in the three-on-three competition in 2028.
"I want to see Steph, KD, and LeBron in LA for the '28 Olympics winning the damn three-on-three gold," MacMahon said. "They a'int got to run full court anymore, they'll be at the prime three-on-three age."
This summer, the United States' three-on-three team was led by former Sacramento Kings guard Jimmer Fredette. The other members of the roster were Canyon Barry, Kareem Maddox and Dylan Travis. They did not have the same success as the five-on-five team, failing to land a medal after posting a 2-5 record.
Could LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant suit up for Team USA in 3-on-3 competition?
In theory, LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant could play three-on-three basketball for Team USA in the Olympics. The trio of former MVPs would just have to put in the time to make themselves eligible to compete.
There are no rules against NBA or WNBA players competing in three-on-three basketball. However, standards are in place that make it tough to roll out star-studded lineups.
For a three-on-three team to be eligible, they must have two players ranked in the top 10 and two players ranked in the top 50 of their country. Prospects can climb up these rankings by partaking in events such as FIBA's three-on-three tour.
This criteria is the main reason why Team USA couldn't just roll out a three-on-three roster with some of the NBA's top young stars. Given how long the season runs, players don't have time outside of it to compete and rack up points to boost their ranking.
LeBron, KD and Curry have time to climb up the rankings, but to do so would likely mean having to retire from the NBA. Seeing that these three are all still competing at a high level, this doesn't seem like a reality in the near future.
Given the standards needed to qualify, it's doubtful the United States will have any active NBA player partake in three-on-three basketball in the Olympics.