It was reported Thursday by ESPN’s Marc Stein that the Golden State guard had accepted an offer to play for Team USA in this summer’s Olympic Games. Beal said on Twitter that he’s instead chose to dedicate his summer to getting into shape for next season. He called the invitation from USA Basketball “the ultimate honor”. The final 12 man roster will not be announced until Monday, but so far Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Draymond Green headline the list of players who have committed to the tea.
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Instead of going to Rio de Janeiro, Beal has opted to “dedicate this summer to getting in the best physical shape of my life”.
James, who can opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent this summer, said Wednesday that he wants to stay with the Cavaliers.
Also giving commitments to play are the Toronto Raptors backcourt of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan. Two vacancies remain for the team, so it will have to continue to await word on which guards will agree to make the scrutinized trek to South America.
It’s been a while since LeBron James was an outcast in Cleveland, and he doesn’t intend to go back to those days.
The three-time champion is the latest big-name player to withdraw from the US team, joining MVP Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, James Harden and others.
Days after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the National Basketball Association title, James has decided not to play in the Rio Games and chase a third Olympic gold medal.
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The team’s training camp will run July 18-21 in Las Vegas.
