Should Steve Kerr prioritize Jayson Tatum’s happiness?

Steve Kerr benched Jayson Tatum for Team USA’s game against Serbia, should he focus on keeping his players happy?

Jayson Tatum was benched for Team USA’s game against Serbia in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Kerr received significant criticism for his decision to sit as one of the top 10 players in the world. The veteran coach has since confirmed that the Boston Celtics star will participate in Team USA’s game against South Sudan on Wednesday, July 31.

During a recent episode of ESPN’s NBA Today, the hosts discussed whether Kerr should begin focusing on keeping Tatum and the other stars on Team USA’s roster happy or if his focus should be solely on challenging for a gold medal at the end of the tournament. Team USA is looking to bounce back from a fourth-placed finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Kerr faces a tough balancing act between keeping all of his star talent happy and ensuring he is putting the best rotation on the floor. Nevertheless, Tatum’s exclusion rightly caused a stir with the wider basketball fanbase.

You can watch the full discussion by clicking on the embedded video above.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969568 tag=648387929]