Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James could be targeted by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo to play for the team in the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympics and he could participate along with Kyrie Irving, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, who are all attending upcoming minicamp but will not take part due to injuries.
James previously participated with Team USA through multiple Olympics and also in the 2006 FIBA World Cup and now he could be back again if Colangelo has his way. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Colangelo spoke on SiriusXM about the upcoming camp and Team USA Basketball and he commented about James coming back to play, saying that "I think LeBron wants to be a part of it."
James has made deep playoff runs in each of the past five seasons and it was reported a couple years ago that James was likely done international basketball due to the need for a break. James made it to the finals again this year and he has been playing for 12 seasons in the NBA, so it's understandable that he might want some time off. The United States has already clinched a spot in the Olympics after winning the World Cup last year and James did not play for that team.
The mini camp for USA Basketball will be in Las Vegas coming up next month and that will be part of the preparation for the Olympics in 2016. The United States is the two time defending gold medal winner in basketball and that has coincided with Colangelo and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski coming into things and taking over the program. James could be convinced to return and this comes as his teammate Kyrie Irving will be going to the minicamp.
According to Marc Stein at ESPN, Irving will "be there" but he will not be playing as he is rehabbing to come back from knee surgery. Irving was injured in the NBA finals for the Cavaliers and he comes in after being the point guard for the team that won the World Cup. SB Nation reports that a number of players are coming to the camp despite dealing with injuries, including Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Carmelo Anthony and Chandler Parsons along with Irving.
James powered the Cavaliers through the finals with Irving out of the lineup and he could consider returning to the program for next year. Irving is out with knee surgery, while Carmelo Anthony is coming back from surgery on his torn patellar tendon in his left knee. The Knicks are hoping that Anthony is fully healthy for training camp and the start of the season after going under the knife in February. Durant is coming in after dealing with a foot injury this season, while Love had shoulder surgery during the playoffs.
Colangelo spoke about the team back when James first played in 2004 in Athens along with Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. That team won the bronze medal and Colangelo said that the group of players were not "ready for prime time" but the league was pushing younger stars and they were added to the roster after "some people dropped out."