U.S. loads up on talent for ’24 Olympics
Kevin Durant just got done with his summer vacation. He's planning to go to France for work next summer, and plenty of other big NBA names hope to join him.
Durant — along with many other top players, including Stephen Curry — said Monday at media days being held around the league that he plans to play for his country at next summer’s Paris Olympics, when the Americans will try for a fifth consecutive gold medal. If he plays and the U.S. wins, Durant would be the first men's player with four basketball golds.
“I will play in the Olympics next year,” Durant adamantly said at Phoenix’s media day.
Curry essentially said the same, because if he wants to play, it's certain that USA Basketball will find him a spot.
“Definitely want to be there,” Curry said at Golden State's media day. “Definitely want to be on the team.”
Others expressed the same sentiment, including Bam Adebayo, who has said he’s committed to the team, while DeMar DeRozan, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Khris Middleton, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Fred VanVleet and Brook Lopez are among those who indicated they would play if asked.
This much is clear: There are 12 roster spots and a lot more than 12 interested players. It's a wonderful problem for USA Basketball to have.
“From the players that we have here off the top of my head that could fill that roster up, I don’t think it would be too much of a physical toll,” said Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, the NBA's all-time scoring leader confirming that he's interested in another shot at gold. “I wouldn’t have to do much.” Rebound a little bit, pass a little bit, defend, block some shots, you know? But we’ll see. We’ll see what happens.”
Spurs sign Vassell to 5-year extension
San Antonio Spurs forward Devin Vassell has agreed to a five-year, $146 million extension, keeping him under team control through the 2027-28 campaign, league sources said.
The new contract makes Vassell, the 11th overall pick in the 2020 draft, an integral part of the core the Spurs intend to build around incoming rookie Victor Wembanyama.
Vassell and the Spurs faced an Oct. 23 deadline to reach an agreement on an extension, lest he become a restricted free agent next summer.
The 23-year-old averaged a career best 18.5 points last season, emerging as one of the NBA’s top mid-range shooters. However, Vassell appeared in only 38 games while battling a knee issue that required arthroscopic surgery.
Odds and ends
James Harden skipped the Philadelphia 76ers’ media day and his status for training camp this week in Colorado is unclear because the franchise has yet to meet the disgruntled guard’s demand for a trade.
Said team president Daryl
Morey, “he continues to seek a trade and we’re working with his representation to resolve that in the best way for the 76ers and hopefully all parties.”
Harden’s relationship with the Sixers has been obliterated following an offseason in which he was fined $10,000 for publicly calling Morey a liar. Harden picked up his $35.6 million contract option this season in June with the expectation the team would try to trade him. When no deal materialize, he blasted Morey at a promotional event in China. …
Two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant will be able to travel with the Memphis Grizzlies, practice with his teammates and even take part in shootarounds throughout his 25-game suspension to start the NBA season, the team confirmed.