LeBron James has decided not to participate in the 2028 Olympics! Kevin Durant confirms his participation, aiming for his fourth personal gold medal.

In two years, the 2028 Olympics will take place in Los Angeles, home of the Lakers. LeBron has made it clear multiple times that he won’t join the upcoming Olympic Games. Considering that by 2028, it’s doubtful he’ll still be active in the NBA, since his retirement is likely in 2027.

If LeBron retires in the summer of 2028, participating in the Olympics as a retired athlete would be inappropriate. Therefore, it’s 100% certain that LeBron will not compete in the Los Angeles Olympics.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics two years ago, LeBron was in total command, serving as the U.S. flag bearer at the opening ceremony and earning the title of the best player on Team USA. He led the team with an average of 24.5 minutes per game, ranked second with 14.2 points per game, topped the team with 6.8 rebounds per game, led with 8.5 assists per game, and had the highest shooting percentage at 66%.

Many times, when the U.S. men’s basketball team was closely challenged by opponents, it was LeBron’s return to the court and his clutch performance in ball handling and playmaking that secured the victory.

FIBA also named LeBron asthe Olympic men’s basketball MVP, with LeBronearning the award due to his all-around performance and dominance in crucial moments.

LeBron teamed up with Durant and Curry to win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, creating a legendary story. Many media outlets believed the 2024 Olympics might be the last for these three veterans.

However, today NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill revealed that Durant expects to represent Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. When asked about the notion that the 2024 Paris Olympics was the final dance for LeBron, Durant, and Curry, Durant responded:

“That’s a narrative created by you media folks. Where did this ‘final dance’ come from? I never said I wouldn’t play. LeBron said he wouldn’t, but you never heard that from me or Curry.”

Of course, Durant hopes to earn his spot on the 2028 U.S. Olympic basketball team based on merit. No one can predict their competitive condition two years from now.

“I definitely want to play in the 2028 Olympics, and I’m willing to participate, but only if I can maintain my competitive level. I won’t just join thinking ‘I deserve to be on the team.’ I want to perform genuinely so that those making the decisions put me on the roster. I don’t want to get in because of my past achievements; I want to prove I can still help the team win.”

Durant is the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team, leading in points for Team USA in 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics. He has already won three Olympic gold medals and will be chasing his fourth in 2028.

The current U.S. men’s basketball team isn’t as dominant as the legendary Dream Team or Dream Eight squads. Perhaps it’s because many international superstars have emerged. In today’s NBA, superstars like Jokic, Doncic, Vucevic, Giannis, and Alexander are not American, and their national teams pose significant challenges to Team USA.

By 2028, LeBron will be 44 years old, and we won’t see him continuing to play basketball.

The current head coach of Team USA is Steve Kerr, who replaced Gregg Popovich and will lead the team in the upcoming World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

American media have predicted the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic basketball roster to include: Duren, Adebayo, Johnson, Tatum, Chet, Brunson, Booker, Durant, Haliburton, Cunningham, Flagg, and Edwards.

Will this team be able to win the championship?