The delay of the Tokyo Olympics and questions surrounding the NBA in 2020 could lead to younger players taking the spot of veteran stalwarts, according to ESPN.
On Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee and Japan agreed to postpone the Olympics until 2021.
If the 2020 NBA postseason is played and the 2021 season is delayed, then runs into the summer, that could prevent players from going to the Olympics.
Even if the 2020-21 season ends before the 2021 Olympics, players might not be ready to compete in another massive tournament following the completion of the season.
ESPN reporters Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps, who received co-bylines on the story, wrote:
Even if the Olympics and the NBA season do not conflict directly, players could be coming off a grueling 12-to-15-month schedule that could include squeezing in the remainder of the 2019-20 season and then playing the 2020-21 season on a tighter-than-normal timeline.
Stars who make the playoffs, especially those who advance deep, may be less likely to play than those who don’t.
That would mean LeBron James, who would be 36, would not be able to play if he chose to return to the Olympics after missing 2016.
Steph Curry has not played in the Olympics yet, but he would be 33. If the Golden State Warriors manage another deep playoff run, he could miss out.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will all be 32, and James Harden’s 32 birthday will be in August 2021. Chris Paul will be 36, if he were to have interest.
If those athletes have to pull out, younger players could get their chance on the international stage sooner.
ESPN listed rookies Zion Williamson and Ja Morant as two names left off the 44-man Team USA roster that are on path to receive future consideration.
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It’s also possible NCAA players would be considered. Men’s college basketball is scheduled to proceed as normal, so those athletes would theoretically be free over summertime.
That would mean Williamson and Morant, players in next year’s rookie class like AP National Player of the Year Obi Toppin, and the 2021 class with guys like Evan Mobley, Jalen Green and Cade Cunningham could be on Team USA earlier than usual.
Those players won’t necessarily make the Olympic squad, though. Team USA has a large pool of players it selects from.
Since NBA players were allowed in the Olympics in 1992, the only players who were on the team before beginning their rookie seasons were Christian Laettner (1992) and Anthony Davis (2012).
Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James both made the team following their rookie season (2004).