Ja Morant and Team USA are going to need one another, even if they don’t know it quite yet.
Scratch that, Team USA might already know it.
Morant is set to make his return from season-ending shoulder surgery last yearGetty Images – Getty
Fresh off another gold medal in Paris, led by LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, Team USA will be looking a lot different by the time the Olympics roll around in 2028 in Los Angeles.
In all likelihood, James, Durant and Curry won’t be on the roster.
There will be a need for talent.
Top-tier elite level talent.
Insert Morant and fellow South Carolina native, Zion Williamson.
According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, an anonymous USAB source hinted at the future of Morant and Williamson, when it comes to playing for Team USA.
“We will still have a great chance to win gold, but it won’t be easy,” the source said. “Ja and Zion need to be in the mix. Moving forward, hopefully, they can get on track and stay on track.”
The number one and two picks in the 2019 NBA Draft have had roller coaster starts to their young careers, especially Morant.
While Williamson has battled injuries and weight issues, the Memphis Grizzlies point guard was shot out of a cannon, taking the league by storm the moment he set foot on the court.
The high-flyer electrified everyone with his play and big personality, positioning himself to be the next face of the Association.
Morant’s fearlessness on the court has led to a nice collection of posters in his early career (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Since then his off the court troubles have been well documented.
Suspensions and injuries have forced Morant to take a backseat on the totem pole of NBA superstardom, specifically to fellow young star Anthony Edwards.
The NBA was looking to position Morant as the next American born player to be its’ face of the league, but Edwards has since snatched that title from him in the last 12 months.
Edwards, who led the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals, was on the Olympic team that won gold, so he will bring with him the international experience, along with a few others, as they look ahead to 2028.
The rest of the world is catching up to the US when it comes to talent and skill on the court.
Look no further than Team USA’s nail-biting win against Serbia in the semi finals, or in the gold medal game against France.
International play is no longer a cake walk.
Led by Curry, James and Durant, Team USA were able to win its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medalGetty
Team USA officials know this and that is why they are looking to add Morant and Williamson to the roster.
“We will still have a great chance to win gold, but it won’t be easy,” the source said.
“Ja and Zion need to be in the mix. Moving forward, hopefully, they can get on track and stay on track.”
Morant will be looking to get back what he lost, and not only should that be a scary thought for the rest of the league, but also the rest of the world.