Sports media personality Bill Simmons believes the next era of Team USA basketball should be built entirely around players under 30.
Simmons said the 2028 Olympic roster in Los Angeles should avoid relying on aging veterans, unlike the 2024 team in Paris that leaned on stars such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry.
Simmons laid out his preferred starting five for 2028: Jalen Williams, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Paolo Banchero, and Cooper Flagg.
He also named Chet Holmgren and Evan Mobley as key big men off the bench, envisioning a roster centered on length, versatility, and youth.
His stance comes after Team USA’s gold medal run in Paris, where experience played a defining role. LeBron, Durant, and Curry provided leadership and high-level play in what was likely their final Olympic appearance.
By 2028, all three will be well past 30, with James already retired from international play. Simmons argues the U.S. should embrace the generational shift instead of extending veterans’ Olympic runs.
That approach would spotlight players who will be in their prime in Los Angeles. Edwards, Haliburton, and Banchero are already established NBA stars, while Flagg is regarded as the most highly anticipated American prospect since LeBron.
Holmgren and Mobley, both standout young bigs, fit Simmons’ vision of a modern frontcourt with defensive range and offensive flexibility.
