If you were dreaming of one last hurrah from California’s LeBron James and Stephen Curry on the 2028 Olympic stage in Los Angeles, go ahead and rip that Band-Aid off now. The two basketball icons who dominated the global spotlight in Paris are officially not walking through that door for Team USA in four years. And honestly, after what they pulled off in 2024, can you even blame them?
Let’s rewind for a second. According to CBS Sports, California’s LeBron James and Stephen Curry were absolutely on top of the basketball universe after helping Team USA secure its fifth-straight gold medal. LeBron walked away with his third gold and an MVP honor. Curry finally got his first taste of Olympic hardware, and he didn’t just show up. He torched France in the gold medal game, dropping four threes in two minutes like it was a Saturday shootaround. It was the first real time we saw these two titans share the floor in a meaningful setting, and it lived up to every bit of the hype. But as for 2028? Yeah… no.
On LeBron’s own Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash, both future Hall of Famers basically shut the idea down. There was no teasing. No, playful, we’ll see. The NBA’s biggest star, LeBron, didn’t hesitate. He said, “You already know my answer, I’ll be watching it.” Watching, as in from home, as in not lacing them up.
California’s LeBron James Calls for an End of an Era
Curry wasn’t as blunt, but he didn’t exactly leave fans rushing to buy Team USA No. 30 jerseys for 2028 either. His take: “God willing, I still have the choice and physical option where I could impact the team. Never say never, but I highly doubt it. Highly doubt it.”
Highly doubt it is never a phrase that sparks confidence. Sure, technically, he left the door open a sliver, but let’s be honest. By the time L.A. rolls around, Steph will be 40. Maybe he’ll still be an All-Star by then, but he also might be chilling, golfing, or winding down his career. And even he knows topping a gold-medal performance where he lit up France in their own building might be impossible. Why risk tarnishing something picture-perfect?
James? He’ll likely be fully retired by then. He’s already given a rough timeline for calling it quits, and 2028 doesn’t fit that calendar. So now Team USA faces the big question: who steps into the void? This isn’t a simple next man up situation. The United States is still loaded with talent. That’s never been the issue. But replacing generational players who can flip an entire game on command? That’s different, that’s rare, and that’s LeBron and Steph. The good news? The next wave has already introduced itself.
Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton, the youngest players on the 2024 roster, should have much bigger roles in 2028. Edwards, in particular, plays with that fearless spark that Team USA always needs when things get weird in international play. Jayson Tatum and Bam Adebayo will likely return with heavier responsibilities after more limited stints in Paris. Devin Booker has already proven twice that he’s the perfect Swiss Army knife for Olympic basketball. You plug him in, and things get easier. However, arguably the best choice is Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell.
And if the basketball gods cooperate? Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis could absolutely be back. That’s a huge if, of course, but both are automatic defensive anchors and matchup nightmares when healthy. Assume for a second that LeBron, Curry, Kevin Durant, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday are all out. Talent still won’t be the issue. The U.S. will have more than enough. But will anyone have that superhero gear that the legends always seemed to find? That’s the million-dollar question.
Who Will Rise To Fill Their Shoes?
Because international basketball is different. It’s more team-oriented. It’s about flow, chemistry, and sacrifice. You don’t necessarily want someone dropping 35 while the rest of the squad spectates. But every once in a while, you need the big moment. The takeover. The “I got this” bucket. Curry did it against France, slamming the door shut on their hopes. LeBron has done it for almost two decades. Durant too. That’s what has separated Team USA from the rest of the world.
And right now, the top four players in the NBA aren’t even American. Canada has reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Serbia has three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Greece has two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Slovenia has California’s Luka Dončić. Of those four, SGA and Jokic have teams around them that could legitimately threaten Team USA. Without LeBron and Steph, the United States is suddenly more vulnerable than it’s been in years. There’s no clear break glass in case of emergency star star-ready-made to take over.
But maybe that’s the fun part. Maybe Paris was the finale for one legendary chapter, and Los Angeles, California, becomes the beginning of another. Donovan Mitchell, Edwards, Tatum, Haliburton, Adebayo. Embiid, Davis. Someone in that group is going to have to step up and become the new face of Olympic heroics. LeBron James has left his throne open. Now, who’s going to go take it?
