The team earned their spot by finishing as one of the top two finalists from the American region at the World Cup. Whereas the other six teams qualified based on their World Cup finish. The last four sports in the field will be determined by four separate six-team qualifying tournaments to be held in June and July 2021.

According to reports, Tatum, Green, Beal, and Lillard will be playing for Team USA after their respective NBA squads failed to make deep playoff runs. Tatum’s Celtics, Green’s Warriors, Beal’s Wizards, and Lillard’s Blazers lost to Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA’s play-in tournament, thereby failing to qualify for the playoffs. On the other hand, Booker is still in the middle of a deep playoff push, while the Suns are waiting to figure out who they will play in the Western Conference finals.

Below, let’s take a closer look at what NY sportsbooks’ thoughts about Team USA and how the team positions when it comes to bringing the gold medal home.

Confirmed to be Playing

The following players have been confirmed to be playing for Team USA in Tokyo:

• Draymond Green – A forward player who hails from the Golden State Warriors, Green won gold for Team USA at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

• Damian Lillard – A guard from Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard has never participated in the Olympics before. However, he has been a finalist on numerous occasions.

• Jayson Tatum – Like Lillard, Tatum, the Boston Celtics forward player, has never played in the Olympics before. Nonetheless, he was a member of the 2019 USA World Cup Team.

• Bradley Beal – A Washington Wizards’ guard, Bradley Beal has been a finalist on numerous occasions and will participate in the Olympics for the first time.

• Devin Booker – It will Booker’s first time participating in the Olympics.

• Kevin Durant – The Brooklyn Nets star is projected to play for Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics. Durant was part of Team USA’s gold medal rosters in 2012 as well as 2016.

Confirmed to Have Declined

The list below is of players who have either confirmed they aren’t playing or reports have indicated so:

• LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers forward stated that he has plans to spend his offseason relaxing and promoting his upcoming Space Jam sequel. James had played for Team USA in 2004, 2008, and 2012.

• Anthony Davis

LeBron James’ teammate at the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis, won’t be playing for Team USA either. Davis wore red, white, and blue at the 2012 Olympics and helped the team earn a gold medal before even playing an NBA game.

• Jimmy Butler

According to the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang, Miami’s star forward player declined the invitation to play for Team USA. Like the Lakers, the Heat had less than three months off after the 2020 NBA Finals. So, Butler will most probably focus on rest and recovery after Miami lost its first-round series to Milwaukee.

How is Gregg Popovich Coaching Team USA?

For now, Popovich is smiling a lot. He says he understands only a few will appreciate the actual challenge he will have to overcome in the upcoming weeks. Here is what he has to say about it, “I've never been too concerned with what people might say. I've never read an article on any of our five championships yet. What good does that do?" Popovich said. "Whether it's applause or someone saying I'm an idiot or whatever, I could care less. They're both fake notions to me. There are more important things, like what kind of wine to order for dinner.”