Durant is willing to compete in the 2028 Olympics! Hints at hoping Curry joins him; US media predicts the 12-man roster

On February 24th Beijing time, following the US team’s gold medal win at the 2024 Olympics led by LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry, conversations about the future of the American men’s basketball squad quickly started. Paolo Banchero, who had yet to enter the draft, was broadly viewed as a promising successor to the legends. Additionally, Edwards and Booker, two other key members of the 2024 Olympic lineup, were already considered future team leaders.

Durant has not announced his retirement either. In an interview with ESPN reporter Goodwill, he clearly stated his willingness to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Subsequently, US media outlet ClutchPoints analyzed the potential roster for the 2028 US men's basketball team—

Durant expresses willingness to play in the 2028 Olympics

Regarding the notion that “the Paris Olympics will be the legends’ final dance,” Durant told ESPN: “That’s just a media prediction. Where did this ‘final dance’ talk come from? I never said I wouldn’t play. LeBron said he wouldn’t, but you haven’t heard that from me or Curry.”

As for whether he will actually take the court, Durant’s reply was straightforward: “Of course I want to play. I really want to be on the court, but I have to stay in peak condition... I just want to perform well so Grant Hill and everyone making decisions will want me on the team, not just because of my credentials... As of now, I’m willing to sign up.”

With that said, by the summer of 2028, Durant will be turning 39, almost 40, yet he still wants to compete in the Olympics. As long as he stays healthy and doesn’t change his mind, Durant will become the captain of that US team, occupying a valuable spot on the 12-man roster, defending the gold medal in front of the home crowd.

Durant takes great pride in American basketball. In an interview with ESPN, he clearly expressed his thoughts on the "USA vs. the world" narrative:

“I just don’t like those discussions comparing US basketball to European styles. Like ‘France is coming for revenge.’ Really? We beat them badly.”

Players like Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo represent the rapid rise of global basketball, yet the US men’s team still dominates the biggest stage every four years. In the 2028 Olympics, the US team will remain the top favorite for the championship, and Durant seems ready to chase that dream again.

Will Curry join Durant again for the Olympics?

Whether Curry will fight alongside him remains the biggest question.

Before 2024, Curry’s Hall of Fame career was nearly complete: breaking the NBA’s all-time three-point record, winning four NBA championships, twice leading the league in scoring, earning two MVP awards (including one unanimous), and being named among the NBA’s 75 greatest players. However, the only honor missing from his cabinet was an Olympic gold medal.

Although Curry has represented the US in the World Cup, he places special importance on the 2024 Olympics and was one of the core figures rallying the strongest lineup alongside LeBron and Durant.

“For me personally, this is something I’ve never experienced before: being an Olympian,” Curry said in an interview before the 2024 Olympics. “I hope we can win the gold. At this stage of my career, it allows me to focus fully on the present and enjoy basketball. It’s the purest expression of the sport.”

Ultimately, the US won the gold as hoped, and Curry was the top contributor in defeating France. Without his crucial performance and signature outside shooting, the US team might not have secured the gold medal.

“That feeling was unreal, especially the way we clinched the title,” Curry said after the 2024 Olympics. “I felt like a kid again. A perfect 10 out of 10 experience.”

If Curry enjoyed playing and winning gold in Paris, what would it look like to team up with Durant again in Los Angeles? Even though LeBron will most likely not compete, the spot remains open as long as Curry wants it.

By the next Olympics, Curry will be 40 years old, so it’s too early to guess if he will seriously consider playing in 2028. Ultimately, the decision will be made that year, depending on his health and career stage—he will likely be nearing retirement.

Durant obviously wants to play, and his words also suggest he hopes Curry will join him. ClutchPoints assumes these two legends will suit up for the US team at least once more, leaving 10 roster spots remaining.

Prediction for the remaining spots on the 12-man Olympic roster

Assuming Durant and Curry lead the 2028 US team, who else might be selected?

As mentioned earlier, as long as they remain healthy, Edwards and Booker’s spots are basically guaranteed. They played key roles alongside Curry and Durant in Paris and will be in their prime by 2028, likely elevating their roles further.

Banchero is also a solid choice; by then he will have completed his third NBA season, only growing stronger. During the 2024 US team training camp, everyone praised him as a future pillar of the American squad.

Another guard almost certain to be prioritized for Los Angeles is Cade Cunningham. He has developed into a genuine MVP candidate. With his combination of playmaking and scoring ability, Cunningham is an ideal guard for the Olympic stage.

That leaves 6 spots remaining, some of which need to be filled with frontcourt players.

Bam Adebayo is already a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is recognized as one of the world’s top defensive centers. By the next Olympics, at age 31, he will likely be the US team’s starting center.

Even with Adebayo, the US team still needs more height to match European giants like Wembanyama, so Chet Holmgren is a sensible pick—he played in the U19 World Cup and is expected to make his first senior national team appearance.

The rivalry between Holmgren and Wembanyama in the NBA is intensifying; Holmgren, a Thunder big man, is also one of the world’s best rim protectors.

At present, the last center spot almost certainly belongs to Jalen Duren. In just his fourth NBA season, Duren has grown into an All-Star big man with toughness on both ends. His athleticism stands out internationally, especially his pick-and-roll synergy with Cunningham.

Three spots remain. Steve Spoelstra will replace Steve Kerr as coach and will want tough two-way wings. Jaylen Brown will be in consideration—he has long claimed to be the best two-way player in the world and has elevated his game after winning the 2024 Finals MVP.

Brown’s scoring and defense rank among the top ten, and if the Olympics were held now, he would be a core player on the US team.

At least one more wing capable of defense and shooting is needed. Toronto’s Scottie Barnes will stand out. He is not only a top all-around defender in the league but also serves as a "point forward," nearly unstoppable on the court. With his defensive instincts and ability to push the pace, the US team will have the youthful energy and athleticism needed to keep up with the world’s best teams.

The final spot is difficult to decide among the remaining talent.

Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum were both on the 2024 Olympic roster but suffered serious Achilles injuries in the 2025 playoffs. Rising young forwards Jalen Johnson and Jalen Williams are emerging but may not yet be ready to help chase gold. Meanwhile, All-Stars like Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, and Tyrese Maxey are also competing for a spot.

If the Olympics were held now, ClutchPoints says the last spot would go to Donovan Mitchell, due to his explosive scoring and outside shooting.

We already saw during the 2024 Olympics how crucial Curry’s clutch three-pointers were, and over the past three years, Mitchell has made 667 three-pointers, ranking sixth in the league. He is one of the NBA’s top ball-handling scorers, and his unselfish style is exactly what this team needs.

Early prediction for the 2028 US men’s basketball roster

Guards: Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, Donovan Mitchell

Wings: Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Jaylen Brown, Scottie Barnes, Paolo Banchero

Frontcourt: Bam Adebayo, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Duren

Of course, this is not an official roster, and significant changes could occur in the next two years before the Los Angeles Olympics. No one knows if Curry will ultimately compete, and health will obviously impact every player vying for a spot on the US team.

Not to mention, the 2026 NBA Draft is expected to be one of the most legendary in league history. Rookies like Dalen Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and AJ Dybantsa could leave their mark in the NBA like Banchero and earn Olympic spots.

After all, the Olympics favor younger players, typically composed of those aged 25 to 26. Clearly, 2024 was an exception—a new "Dream Team" built around LeBron, Durant, and Curry had an average age of 30.1 years.

The 2028 US men’s basketball roster will be noticeably younger, faster, and more athletic. If Durant and Curry truly lead the team for one last gold medal run, we will likely see a 12-man squad resembling the prediction above.