Kevin Durant confirms desire to play for USA at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Kevin Durant has confirmed his intention to target a spot on the United States roster for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as the programme enters a significant period of transition.
The 37-year-old became the most decorated male basketball Olympian in history by claiming his fourth gold medal in Paris last summer.
Despite speculation that the 2024 Games marked the end of an era for the squad, the Phoenix Suns forward insists he is not ready to retire from international duty.
Durant disputes the suggestion that the Paris campaign was his final appearance for the national team.
“That narrative, where did the last dance thing come from?” Durant told ESPN.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t playing. LeBron [James] said he wasn’t. You didn’t hear that from me or Steph [Curry].”
Durant aims for home soil return
While Los Angeles Lakers superstar James has ruled himself out of the home Games, Durant remains emphatic about his potential involvement.
He acknowledges that he will be approaching 40 when the tournament begins but maintains his desire to compete if his performance levels remain elite.
“Hell yeah, I want to play,” Durant said.
“But I gotta stay on top of my game. I’m not expecting [a free pass]. I want to produce on the floor and make Grant [Hill] and whoever is making the decisions want to put me on the team.”
Durant emphasised that he does not want to be selected purely for seniority, but rather to prove he can still contribute to winning.
A new era under Spoelstra
The national programme faces a critical rebuilding phase ahead of hosting the Summer Olympics for the first time since 1996.
Managing director Grant Hill must navigate the departure of head coach Steve Kerr, with Miami Heat boss Erik Spoelstra set to take the reins.
Spoelstra served as an assistant during the nail-biting campaign in France, where the US survived scares against Serbia and the host nation to secure gold.
His prior experience on Kerr’s staff is expected to provide continuity in roster selection and tactical adjustments for the international game.
Rising global competition
The urgency for a strong transition is heightened by the rapidly closing gap between the United States and their international rivals.
France’s Victor Wembanyama and Serbia’s three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic are expected to lead formidable challenges in 2028.
Before focus turns fully to Los Angeles, the new coaching staff must navigate the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar.
Hill noted that his immediate priority is getting through that tournament, an event the Americans have failed to win since 2014.