USA Basketball: Early starting lineup and bench projections for 2024

Who Should Go

Jaren Jackson Jr. 

This may come as a surprise, but I think JJJ would be a great addition to this team. Jackson is one of the best defenders on the planet and can make life miserable for anyone trying to get buckets near the rim. He also allows for the team to be versatile with their lineups; they can play small ball with him at the 5 or they can play him alongside Embiid at the 4.

Playing alongside Embiid would make it almost impossible for teams to score inside, but it wouldn’t hurt spacing on the offensive end since he can stretch the floor.

Paolo Banchero

Banchero is turning into a solid scoring option in Orlando, but there would be no pressure on him to fill it up in Paris. He’s on this team for his size and versatility. While he’s not the defender that Jackson is, he can stretch the floor and gives the team some much-needed depth in the front court. If I’m being honest, I see the US going with an 8 or 9-man rotation, but a lot of the big men that are currently rumored to be heading to Paris are also known for how frequently they get injured.

Banchero would be a good safety valve to ensure that if somebody goes down their team is still in a good position to take home gold.

Who Should Stay

Paul George 

Similar to Jimmy Butler and James Harden, George’s best days are behind him. He is getting up there in age, doesn’t love to play off-ball, and hasn’t shown that he can contribute more than just drama to a team that will be loaded with talent. He hasn’t been the same since the bubble, and typically his calling card would be defense, but this team will have plenty of guys that can fill that void.

As I mentioned earlier, I think it would be wise for Kerr and his staff to avoid guys who like to play in isolation and are on the older side of their careers.

Draymond Green

Green has already said he will play if asked, and I am worried that Kerr will play nice with Green and bring him on the trip. He will mention Green’s leadership, defense, and motor as to why he should be on the team. His leadership is just hoping Curry can bail him out, his defense is fading, and his motor gets him into trouble more often than not. The last thing this team needs is a guy who can’t score instigating other countries’ best players.