The U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team won its fifth consecutive gold medal in Paris. Despite all the debate about how the rest of the world has closed the gap to the birthplace of the sport, the Americans have lost once at the Olympics since 2004 — to France in Tokyo, a defeat they avenged.
The semi-finals and championship match of these Olympics were no walk in the park. In 2028, Serbia’s Nikola Jokić will still be at the end of his prime, assuming he doesn’t retire to pursue horse racing full-time, and Victor Wembanyama will be a 24-year-old about to do God knows what for the French.
LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are (expectedly) set to disappear from Team USA’s roster, along with other aging veterans who are making way for the waves of talent that followed them to the NBA. Whether anyone will reach the heights of any of them remains to be seen. What a treat it was to see three of the best players in NBA history create for each other on a meaningful stage once again.
At the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, there will be a new generation of veterans, a new generation of alphas to challenge them, and a new generation of fresh blood behind them. As USA Basketball transitions into the next era, it will open the door for other countries to enter the international stage, but this is the 12-man roster that will deliver a sixth consecutive gold medal (like, in my current opinion, man) in four years…
BALL HANDLER
Haliburton began his USA Basketball journey on the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup roster, eventually rising to the Select Team in 2021 and the national team in 2023. After winning his first Olympic gold medal this past weekend, the Pacers phenom summed up his experience in Paris perfectly on X:
Though Haliburton has played little for this edition of Team USA, he will be in the prime of his career in 2028 — and arguably the best passing guard in the world. He already led the league in assists per game (10.9) last season when he led the Indiana Pacers to the Eastern Conference finals ahead of schedule.
Brunson was left off this year’s Olympic team after playing for Team USA’s fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Curry played the majority of his minutes at point guard. Celtics’ Jrue Holiday and Derrick White also split defensive responsibilities at the position. The crunch of a 12-man roster left little room to maneuver.
But Brunson was the only point guard besides Luka Dončić to receive MVP votes last season, finishing fifth — between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum. He’s Team USA’s heir apparent at the position, bringing glory back to the Madison Square Garden marquee. There are concerns about the ability of the 6-foot-2, high-usage player to remain so productive into his early 30s, but as is, he’s favored over Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox, Memphis’ Ja Morant, Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey and Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell.
After winning the gold medal, Team USA head coach Steve Kerr reminded us in Paris: “Devin Booker is an unbelievable basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just wanted to say that.”
Booker was a member of the last two Olympic gold medal-winning teams, and his contributions on that last run — starting at shooting guard, full-court defensively and shooting 56.5 percent from 3 — won’t be forgotten in 2028. He willingly accepted a role, and not all players of his caliber are willing to do that. His game is easily adaptable among superstars, and he’ll have four more years of experience.
This will be the most controversial selection in this mix. Will Suggs be one of the 12 best American players alive in 2028? No. Based on talent alone, Fox, Morant, Mitchell and Maxey would be more attractive choices.
Fit? Suggs might be the best option. Holiday turns 38 in 2028, when White and Alex Caruso both turn 34. This year’s All-Defensive team produced one other guard: Suggs. The presence of Haliburton, Brunson and Booker calls for a stopper against the world’s best, and that’s Suggs.
Other candidates: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons; De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers; Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers; Yes Morant, Memphis Grizzlies.
WINGS
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Tatum’s playing time became a controversial topic this summer, at least among pundits and his parents. But he could be the best American player in the world in 2028. He could be the best American in the world right now. He’s currently the best player on the reigning NBA champions. Three players have made the All-NBA first team in the past three seasons: Dončić, Antetokounmpo and Tatum. Kerr could have gotten him more playing time.
But let’s not be silly. Tatum should be at the peak of his game. He’s playing behind James and Durant, two of the 15 best players in history, who have seniority over him. They’ll leave a huge void at the game’s most important position. We may never see someone who controls the game like James or scores as purely as Durant, but Tatum could be Team USA’s best option four years from now.
Tatum’s biggest rival for Best American Alive in 2028 could be Edwards, who at 23 is already threatening to take over the reins. Considered the second coming of Michael Jordan, Edwards will be about the same age Jordan was on the Dream Team when he donned the red, white and blue in LA.
Edwards has everything you want in a basketball player — the skill, the athleticism, the strength. He just needs to harness it. And he’s almost there. One year. Maybe two. This Olympics won’t be his best, and yet he’s averaging a team-high 28.4 points per 36 minutes on 70 percent true shooting. In four years, if he harnesses it, Edwards might not just be the best American in the world; he could be the best player in the world.
Like his Boston bandmate, Brown’s experience with Team USA this summer was not befitting of a champion. The Finals MVP challenged USA Basketball and Nike over the team’s selection process just as they were replacing Kawhi Leonard with White. It was an uncomfortable issue that Brown said he will eventually answer for.
But let’s not be stupid. Brown will be in the prime of his career, one of the handful of best American wings in the business, when those of that caliber are called to LA. Passing him up again would be the slap in the face he thought he was this year. There aren’t many players in the coming years who will look at Dončić and come out on top, but we’ve seen Brown do it. That’s worth something.
I reserve the right to give this roster spot to Durant if he wants to play in 2028. Teams need an old head.
If not, Banchero should be the best of a talented bunch of forwards in four years. The 6-foot-1, 250-pound forward blazed his way to an All-Star Game debut at age 21. It’s too much to expect anyone to ever reach James’ peak or longevity, but with improved playmaking and shooting over the next four years, Banchero could become an exact replica of the brutal legend, at least skill-wise.
Cooper Flagg, Duke University
Every Olympic team needs young blood, too. Christian Laettner was the Dream Team’s youthful injection. Flagg could be the 2028 edition. He’s 6’10, can do it all, and his defensive skills are better than an offensive repertoire that has hyped him as a generational prospect. He’ll be the No. 1 overall pick in 2025, when someone will undoubtedly project his superstar status as America’s answer to Victor Wembanyama.
And he’s on his way. Flagg was the first college player to play for USA Basketball’s Select Team since 2013, and he impressed the national team as they prepared for Paris. “He looked like a great player,” said Durant. “Someone who just gets better with more experience. 17 years old, coming in here, acting like he’s almost a vet. No emotion. Just going out there and doing his job. That’s a good sign.”
Honorable Mentions: Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors; Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks; Herb Jones, New Orleans Pelicans; Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves; Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets; Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder; Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans.
BIG
Once a fresh-faced 19-year-old on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, Davis will be 35 in 2028. His health is the obvious question. Quietly, though, Davis has played in 127 of his last 136 NBA games and looked as dominant as ever in this year’s Olympics, owning the rim on both ends of the court. Assuming Embiid is less reliably healthy in his mid-30s, Davis should still America’s best answer at center, where Nikola Jokić sees his and Serbia’s best chance at Olympic gold.
Plus, the 2028 Olympics are in Los Angeles, and this team needs a Laker. James could be that guy, even at 43, and presumably perform at an All-NBA level forever. More likely, he’ll watch from the sidelines with a glass of wine in his hand. If Davis is still wearing the purple and gold, he could be the NBA’s biggest attraction in L.A. four years from now — and our best hope for a center.
For all the accolades Frenchman Rudy Gobert has collected over the course of his career, Adebayo is arguably the best defender of his generation. He’s more skilled and versatile. And for all the size the 6-9 Adebayo may give up to Wembanyama and others, he makes up for it in strength and intelligence. Heat Culture, if you will, and Miami’s Erik Spoelstra could be Team USA’s head coach next.
Offensively, Adebayo rarely shoots, though that could change. No matter. Playing alongside more dynamic scorers, he’s carved out a hub role on both sides of the ball, and strengthened the fiber of five-man units, even as a second big. Why hold him back from a third straight gold medal when he’s still in his prime?
Embiid’s availability will determine whether a center position opens up in 2028. It was a process to draft and package a 7-foot-1, 280-pound 30-year-old this time around. It’s a process for Philadelphia to get Embiid ready for May every year, let alone August. Winning the gold medal this year might have checked a box that Embiid would rather leave filled in four years. Why push it at 34?
And Holmgren is America’s best young big. He nearly stole Rookie of the Year from Wembanyama last season, and the two are locked in an emerging rivalry. Both need reinforcements, and it will be fascinating to see how far they both go in 2028. Wembanyama could be a paradigm shifter by then, capable of making France the favorite, and Holmgren could be our best opponent to his rangy rival.
Other candidates: Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers; Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies; Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz; Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks; Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers.
