Following Team USA men’s basketball team’s gold-medal win at the Olympics, speculations are rife about potential NBA super teams being formed from the roster. The Miami Heat trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who formed a formidable partnership in 2010 after playing together at the 2006 FIBA World Cup and Beijing Olympics, could serve as a precedent. Notably, James Harden was reportedly urged by his teammates to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and pursue a bigger role elsewhere while playing for Team USA at the London Olympics.
However, there are several factors at play that make it challenging to determine potential synergies and formations. One significant aspect is that it’s often difficult to gauge whether players are actually considering playing together in the future. Moreover, other events need to occur within each player’s NBA team before connections from Team USA become instrumental. The freedom that free agency provides, more often than not, plays a significant factor too.
Speculations are particularly rife around two legendary players, LeBron James and Stephen Curry, who have eight NBA championships between them. Curry had reportedly given a green signal to a proposed trade to Lakers for Lebron back in February, indicating a level of comfort between them even before their Olympic partnership. Although the idea did not materialise and James elected to stay, the same dynamics could come into play in the upcoming season, especially if the Lakers struggle.
Meanwhile, potential partnerships between Curry and Kevin Durant and Devin Booker and Steve Kerr are also under consideration. While Durant left Golden State Warriors three years ago, he and Curry showed a deep respect and bonding during the Olympics. As for Booker, Kerr, restricted by NBA’s tampering rules from expressing enthusiasm for other teams’ stars, used the Team USA environment to praise Booker’s contributions, possibly paving the way for a future alliance.
Other scenarios being contemplated include Anthony Edwards teaming up with Durant, given that the two have developed a swift friendship and synergy in Team USA’s second unit. Joel Embiid, who previously expressed the need for help, also seems set to make a new push with the Philadelphia 76ers after they signed Paul George in free agency and re-signed Tyrese Maxey.
However, these speculations remain just that, and the reality may turn out to be significantly different. Circumstances are constantly changing, and even seemingly likely alliances may not come to fruition due to countless factors. Still, these potential scenarios bring an exciting dimension to the future developments in the NBA landscape.
