LeBron on 2016 Olympics: 'I'm not penciling in for next summer right now'
No one from USA Basketball is going to stop LeBron James from making the 2016 Olympic team, if that's what he wants.
Then again, perhaps "The King" has other ideas for how he wants to spend next summer.
James said he's "not penciling in for next summer right now," referring to possibly suiting up for Team USA in Rio de Janeiro, according to Sports Illustrated's Ben Golliver.
Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo recently indicated the four-time NBA MVP can have a spot if he wants it, although the team is well-equipped to compensate for his absence if he chooses not to join.
The 30-year-old forward has given a lot to the program over the years, winning Olympic gold during the 2008 (Beijing) and 2012 (London) games. He also won bronze in 2004 at Athens, and gold during the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are favored to return to the NBA Finals next season, which would mark the sixth straight Finals appearance for the 11-time All-Star. If James wants to take a load off and not think about basketball for a couple of months in 2016, he has every right to do so.
Then again, perhaps the opportunity to win a third Olympic gold - something no other men's basketball player has done - will coax him in to competing.
James participated in the mandatory minicamp to satisfy the requirements Colangelo laid out to making the roster.