Kevin Durant has not taken part in any of Team USA’s exhibition games leading up to the Paris Olympics and one NBA insider believes he will continue to sit out during the tournament.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Durant’s status remains uncertain for Team USA’s first pool game against Serbia, with doubts about his participation due to a strained calf.
Windhorst stated on SportsCenter, “I think [Team USA is] gonna be playing Serbia without Kevin Durant… Steve Kerr met with him today and they decided he needs more time with that strained calf. They believe he will be able to play. But the hopes are dim that he’s gonna be able to do it against Serbia.”
He also mentioned, “One thing Steve Kerr made very clear, he will not be replaced on the roster. They could fly in a replacement for KD, but that’s not gonna happen. Kevin Durant is going to be on this team.”
Kerr confirmed that Durant will be traveling to Paris, but he will need to go through multiple practices before returning to the court, as reported by SI’s Grant Afseth.
When asked if there are concerns about integrating Durant back into the team mid-tournament, his NBA rival Jrue Holiday responded, “No… That’s Kevin Durant, my boy.”
Team USA boasts a strong lineup for the Olympics, so filling in for Durant should not pose a problem for the team.
If USA succeeds in winning the gold in Paris, Durant will become the all-time leader in Men’s Olympic basketball gold medals, having previously won in 2012, 2016, and 2021.
Unlike in 2016 and 2021 where Durant was the team’s leader, there are other experienced players like Steph Curry and LeBron James to lead the team in Durant’s absence.
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