Joel Embiid hopes to be physically fit to compete in the Paris Olympics, but the pivot is not the only member of the Team USA squad to have to recover from a physical problem by next month…
Tyrese Haliburtonaffected in the hamstrings of the right thigh, and Kawhi Leonardwhose end of season with the Clippers was spoiled by persistent knee inflammation, could thus have to leave their place.
It is perhaps for the Clippers winger that the doubts are the most numerous, given his history.
And according to ESPN's Adrian WojnarowskiSteve Kerr and his staff have a wild card in the event of “The Klaw” forfeiting: Derrick White. Like his teammate Jrue Holiday, the leader could be a real Swiss army knife in this team of stars, being able to take care of defensive missions, while providing a threat from afar.
Derrick White already knows Team USA since he was part of Gregg Popovich's team during the disastrous 2019 World Cup, finished in 7th place by the United States. But the team around him was nothing like it.
TEAM USA ROSTER
Leaders: Stephen Curry, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday
Exteriors: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards
Interiors: Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo