OLY: Projecting Team USA Roster

The Guards (6): There is a ton of backcourt talent in the NBA with guys with Stephen Curry, James Harden, Chris Paul, and many more. But I don’t think any of those three will play because of age and/or previous injuries. I project Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, Victor Oladipo, Klay Thompson, Kemba Walker, and Russell Westbrook will end up on the team. Westbrook was the 2016-17 NBA MVP for the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Walker averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 assists per game for the Charlotte Hornets last year. Beal, Lillard, Oladipo, and Thompson were all NBA All-Stars last season. Thompson put up 20.0 points on 44.0 percent shooting from three-point range en route to his third title with the Golden State Warriors.

The Forwards (4): The small forward position is arguably the best of any in the league with future Hall of Famers LeBron James and Kevin Durant, and All-Stars Paul George, Gordon Hayward, and Kawhi Leonard. But I only think two of the aforementioned men will end up on the 12-man roster. And they are George and Hayward. James has already decided not to attend minicamp. Durant has been incredible with Team USA, winning the 2010 World Cup MVP, but he's 29-years-old now and is likely done with international play. George and Hayward combine for an average of 34.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game on their career. A couple of other forwards I think will end up on the team will be Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green.

Centers (2): The big men have varied during the last couple of Olympics. In 2010, Team USA ran out Anthony Davis and Tyson Chandler. Four years later, they had DeMarcus Cousins and DeAndre Jordon. And remember how good Kenneth Faried was during the 2014 World Cup? It earned him a $50 million deal with the Denver Nuggets. Anyways, my point is, they've struggled to find a consistent group of centers. Cousins and Davis are the two best prospects of the bunch, but I'd be surprised to see them make the team because of injuries. They both need to focus on getting their health to where it should be for the NBA regular season. With that said, I project Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons and Jordan to finish up on the final roster.

Minicamp Invitees (35):

Harrison Barnes

Bradley Beal

Devin Booker

Jimmy Butler

Mike Conley Jr.

DeMarcus Cousins

Stephen Curry

Anthony Davis

DeMar DeRozan

Andre Drummond

Kevin Durant

Paul George

Eric Gordon

Draymond Green

Blake Griffin

James Harden

Tobias Harris

Gordon Hayward

Kyrie Irving

LeBron James

DeAndre Jordan

Kawhi Leonard

Damian Lillard

Kevin Love

Kyle Lowry

Khris Middleton

Chris Paul

Isaiah Thomas

Kemba Walker

John Wall

Russell Westbrook

C.J. McCollum

Victor Oladipo

Klay Thompson

Myles Turner

Photo Credit: Sporting News.