The 2024 Olympics in Paris felt like the end of an era for USA Basketball. The 39-year-old LeBron James, 36-year-old Stephen Curry and 35-year-old Kevin Durant led Team USA to gold. Together, the trio now has eight gold medals in Olympic play, and each is consider among the 15 or 20 greatest players in the history of basketball. However, at their ages, it's hard to imagine them maintain their greatness for much longer. James is already in uncharted waters as he remains a star with his 40th birthday approaching. Curry and Durant aren't far behind.
For now, all three remain among the very best players in the NBA. Can they stay there for four more years and remain viable pieces for Team USA in 2028? For now, it seems unlikely, at least to them. "Nah, I can't see myself playing in Los Angeles 2028," James said after Saturday's win. "I didn't see myself playing in Paris 2024, too. But four years from now, I can't see it." Curry also acknowledged that he may never again participate. "This might not come around again," Curry said.
Durant left the door open, but he wasn't exactly commital. "As far as 2028, who knows man," Durant said. "We'll see." He is the youngest of the three at 35. If he does decide to play in 2028, he would be as old at 39 as James is now. Victory in Los Angeles would give Durant five gold medals, adding to his current record of four, more than any other male basketball player has ever won at the Olympics.
Durant has never turned down an opportunity to play for Team USA at the Olympics in his career. He tried to play on the 2008 Redeem Team but was cut in training camp. He has been on every Olympic roster since. His skill figures to age reasonably well given his shooting, but given his injury history, only time will tell how valuable he remains in 2028.
At the very least, 2024's union of the three best players from this era of NBA history seems like a one-and-done phenomenon. Team USA will almost certainly be favored at the 2028 Olympics, but it won't have nearly the same caliber of star-power it has had in the past. This era of basketball is ending, and it's time for Team USA to find its next generation of superstars.
