USA Basketball is prepared in case more stars opt out of the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
Golden State Warriors guard D'Angelo Russell and Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley are among some of the names included on Team USA's potential short list of replacements, according to The Athletic's Joe Vardon.
Boston Celtics duo Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown, Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, Philadelphia 76ers swingman Josh Richardson, Chicago Bulls forward Thaddeus Young, and New York Knicks big man Julius Randle are also on the list of possible backups.
"We are blessed with a lot of talent, a lot of talent in the NBA," USA Basketball director Jerry Colangelo told Vardon. "There is no panic. It may be more challenging, but we will be able to field a very competitive team.
"We've had players call us who want to be on our list."
Already, Team USA will be without Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, James Harden, Bradley Beal, Tobias Harris, and CJ McCollum, who were on the initial 20-man invitee list but all pulled out due to various reasons. New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson, who was invited to the 10-man Select Team, a squad of up-and-coming players who could potentially compete for a roster spot, also won't be attending the August camp.
The Select Team could still help fill out Team USA's World Cup roster, however. Notable young stars such as Trae Young, De'Aaron Fox, Joe Harris, Mitchell Robinson, and Jarrett Allen were all invited to be a part of the younger squad, according to Vardon.
