Team USA should be the favorites heading into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, although Victor Wembanyama and other international superstars should give the Americans some trouble.
The San Antonio Spurs are expected to have the shining star of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. International play has a special place in Victor Wembanyama's heart, and he's itching for the opportunity to get revenge on Team USA after a silver-medal finish in 2024.
Outside of Wembanyama, there's a chance that Stephon Castle gets the Team USA nod, and Dylan Harper could suit up for the Philippines. With LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant all presumably aging out of Olympic competition, guys like Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, Jalen Brunson, and Cooper Flagg are expected to carry the flame for the Americans.
Wembanyama and France are expected to have a really solid roster full of NBA talent, although the Americans, as always, will be heavy favorites. In 2028, though, they might struggle.
Team USA Has No Answer For International Bigs
In the gold medal game in Paris, Wembanyama finished with 26 points. It took an all-time effort from Curry to send him packing.
In that game, America employed Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, and Joel Embiid down low against Wembanyama and France. Between injuries and age, neither Davis nor Embiid is expected to rejoin Team USA.
With Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra coaching America in 2028, Adebayo will probably make a return, although outside of him, America will be lacking down low.
"Who are the bigs?" asked Tim MacMahon of the Team USA roster. "Bam's probably back. Maybe it's Jalen Duren, Chet Holmgren. But who are the bigs is going to be? Who are they going to have to beat to win gold? You're going to have to deal with Victor Wembanyama. You're going to have to deal with Nikola Jokic. Even Sengun, right. And so there are some All-Star, superstar bigs that you're going to have to go through to win gold."
Holmgren clearly can't stand up to Wembanyama. Last year's playoff games proved that. Duren is a physical force, although he isn't an adept defender. Plus, they have more than just Wemby to worry about. Between Jokic, Alperen Sengun, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, most of the best big men are foreign-born.
America will have better guards, wings, and general depth than anyone else in the contest, and will be the betting favorite heading into the Games. However, more than ever before, an upset seems possible.
First, Manu Ginobili sent America packing in 2004. Don't be surprised if Wembanyama follows suit.
