Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant Opt In For Rio Olympics, Lebron James Is Out

Lebron James has added his name to a lengthy list of athletes who will not be participating in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“I could use the rest,” James told Cleveland.com Thursday while he and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers roster celebrate overcoming a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Championship over the Golden State Warriors.

There was some positive news for USA Basketball’s roster this week: Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant vowed to participate in the Rio games, which are slated to begin August 5.

Anthony is seeking to become the first player in the history of USA Men’s Basketball to win three gold medals.

Durant would certainly help him achieve that goal.

HERE’S WHAT USA BASKETBALL LOOKED LIKE IN TRAINING CAMP

The two headliners are joined by names not quite as well-known.

The motley crew that have committed to Rio includes Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, Bulls guard Jimmy Butler, Warriors forward Klay Thompson and Raptors guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

Pacers forward Paul George, Warriors forward Draymond Green and Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins have all committed to play in Rio as well, according to The Undefeated.

Accounting for all of those players, assuming the reports of their commitments are accurate, that leaves two roster spots open on the 12-man roster.

Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving is rumored to be mulling over the decision as he continues to bask in the glory of the Cavs magical run to the title.

Article by Kevin Xavier