LeBron James spoke up recently about being named as a finalist to play in the 2020 Olympics by USA Basketball on Monday.
James is one of 44 NBA players who could join this summer’s United States men’s basketball team that will compete in the Tokyo Games.
LeBron on Tokyo: "My name is in the hat & it’s always predicated on: one; my body, how my body is feeling at the end of the season – I hope to make a long playoff run. And then where my mind is & then where my family’s head is. So, it’s a lot of factors but my name is in the hat"
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 11, 2020
The reluctance of the Los Angeles Lakers star to commit to USA Basketball is understandable given how much mileage he has on his 35-year-old body.
He is currently playing in his 17th year in the league, and his primary goal is more than likely to add to his championship jewelry.
Playing in the Olympics could take away his offseason for rest and recreation, especially if the Lakers make it all the way to the Finals this June.
James has already won two gold medals from his stints with Team USA in 2008 and 2012.
His interest in playing in this year’s Olympics is partly to have the opportunity to play for San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who will steer the U.S. squad this year.
“It’s a possibility,” James said last December about playing in the Olympics this year.
Having already played 68 games for the U.S. national team, James will likely take his time in making a decision, one that could determine the makeup of the final roster.
