The star of the Phoenix Suns, Chris paul, turned down an invitation to play for the United States team at the Tokyo Olympics, league sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, while Khris middleton, Jrue Holiday Y Kevin love they got engaged.
USA Basketball knew Paul had a bias toward this decision for several days, sources said. The Suns are in the Western Conference finals against the LA Clippers, and if they make it to the Finals, there will be virtually no rest for Paul from the end of the NBA season and the start of the Tokyo Olympics. Game 7 of the finals is scheduled for July 22 and Team USA’s first Olympic game against France is July 25.
Paul missed Game 1 of the Western Finals and will not play in Game 2 after entering NBA health and safety protocols on Wednesday. His return to the game remains undefined.
Paul, 36, was part of the American teams that won Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2012 London Games. He also retired his name in 2016 for the Rio de Janeiro Games.
Middleton, Holiday and Love commit to Team USA
Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris middleton and the Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin love have pledged to join the 12-man roster for the U.S. team for the Olympics in Tokyo, Excel Basketball agent Mike Lindeman told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, and a source said the Bucks guard, Jrue Holiday, he got engaged too.
Middleton and Holiday will make their first Olympic appearances, while Love will be in his second Olympics after winning gold at the 2012 London Games.
His commitments would leave a remaining spot on the 12-man Olympic roster: Bam Adebayo of Miami, James harden Y Kevin Durant from Brooklyn, Draymond green from Golden State, Bradley Beal from Washington, Jayson tatum from Boston, Devin Booker from Phoenix and Damian Lillard from Portland, have committed to playing, according to ESPN and various reports.
Paul george of the LA Clippers and, if he’s healthy, Kawhi leonard They have given USA Basketball some indication in recent weeks that they would like to play on the Olympic team, although it is unknown if they have made a final decision.
Stephen Curry of Golden State and Donovan Mitchell of Utah, in addition to Chris paul, are among those who recently declined invitations.