Lakers’ LeBron James unlikely to play as a backup for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics

As the clock ticks down toward the start of the 2024 Olympic Games, USA Basketball head coach Steve Kerr has some big decisions to make when training camp begins on Saturday, including one that could see LeBron James step in as a substitute.

According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, sources at USA Basketball say that scenario seems unlikely, even though there is a plausible way to build a starter team without the Los Angeles Lakers superstar.

Speaking to reporters about last week’s lineup, Kerr said he and his staff have not made any final decisions at this time:

“It’s a great question, and my staff and I have talked about it a lot. It’s a good problem to have, but I’m guessing that all 12 players on this list will go to the Hall of Fame at some point. So how do you pick five out of the 12? The idea is to find combinations that click and find two-way lineups that can be effective on both sides.

“Our big job in Las Vegas is to find a five-man combination that works for us and ask all 12 guys to give their all to the goal of winning a gold medal, whatever that looks like and whoever plays.”

This article will be updated soon with more information and analysis.

For more of Bleacher Report on this topic and from the sports world, check out our B/R application, Homepage and social feeds, including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook And TikTok.