As the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics begins to fade, Team USA is already looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. While discussions about potential roster additions, such as Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, have been circulating, another important decision looms – who will be the next head coach of the men’s national team.
Current head coach Steve Kerr has indicated that he will not continue coaching the national team past the 2024 Olympics, citing it as a two-year commitment. This leaves the door open for a new coach to take the reins for the 2028 Games. Two frontrunners for the position are Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat and Tyronn Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers, according to reports from Marc Stein.
Both Spoelstra and Lue have extensive coaching experience and have been part of Team USA’s coaching staff in various capacities. Spoelstra, a two-time NBA champion with the Heat, has been to six NBA Finals, while Lue, who won a title with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has made three Finals appearances. Their championship pedigree and respect within the NBA make them strong candidates for the head coaching position.
Whoever is chosen as the next head coach will have their work cut out for them, starting with the 2027 FIBA World Cup. Team USA has struggled in recent World Cup competitions, finishing fourth in 2023 and a disappointing seventh in 2019. Convincing top players to participate in the World Cup has been a challenge for Team USA, leading to subpar performances. It will be crucial for the new head coach to rally the best talent and instill a winning mentality to improve upon past World Cup showings.
The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles present a unique opportunity for Team USA to showcase their talent on home soil. With the potential addition of players like Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, as well as a new head coach at the helm, Team USA will be looking to reclaim their dominance on the international stage. The road to the 2028 Olympics begins now, with crucial decisions to be made that will shape the future of USA Basketball.