PHOENIX SUNS

LeBron James reportedly recruiting Kevin Durant for Olympics; Devin Booker interested

Sep 11, 2023, 8:00 AM | Updated: 8:00 am

Devin Booker and Kevin Durant from USA Basketball in the Tokyo Olympics...

Kevin Durant #7 and Devin Booker #15 of Team United States celebrate a play against Spain during the first half of a Men's Basketball Quarterfinal game on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 03, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have shown interest in being on the United States men’s basketball team during 2024 Paris Olympics, according to The Athletic.

Shams Charania and Joe Vardon report that James is ready to commit and has already made what are essentially recruiting calls to Durant, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum and Draymond Green to join him.

Booker is among another group of players whom The Athletic reports have “serious interest” in playing for USA Basketball, which is coming off a fourth-place finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

By next summer, James will be 39 years old, while Durant will be 35. The Athletic adds that James and Durant “are viewing the Paris games as a ‘last dance’ with USA Basketball, sources said.”

Durant has been a regular member of the United States national teams over the years, with three Olympics and a 2010 World Cup under his belt.

He was the MVP of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal squad. Durant averaged 20.7 points per game, a United States record for an Olympic run.

That team included Booker, who joined Team USA immediately after the Phoenix Suns lost their NBA Finals appearance against the Milwaukee Bucks.

While Booker’s statistics weren’t attention-grabbing — 9.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 20.7 minutes — he got promoted to a starter and swapped into a defense-first role to complement a team filled with capable scorers.

His situation was unique and a reminder that many so-called commitments of star players before the 2023-24 season might not come to be in 10 months, when players are coming off deep NBA postseason runs.

Phoenix Suns

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Shorthanded Suns put up fight, lose steam vs. Rockets

The Phoenix Suns fought like hell in Wednesday's 119-111 loss to the Houston Rockets, an admirable effort so shorthanded but still a performance when their key problems persisted.

15 hours ago

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is out Wednesday night vs. the Rockets...

Tyler Drake

Devin Booker among Suns ruled out vs. Houston Rockets

The Phoenix Suns will be without star guard Devin Booker and a handful of others when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

23 hours ago

Kevin Durant, Suns...

Kellan Olson

Kevin Durant joins rare 30K club, Suns lose to Grizzlies

Kevin Durant reached a historical accomplishment of 30,000 career points in the Suns' loss to the Grizzlies.

1 day ago

Kevin Durant...

Damon Allred

Kevin Durant becomes 8th player to reach 30,000 career points

Kevin Durant reached 30,000 career points on Tuesday, making the Suns forward the eighth player to reach the milestone in NBA history.

2 days ago

Bol Bol...

Damon Allred

Bol Bol gets the start at PF for Suns vs. Grizzlies

The Phoenix Suns gave Bol Bol the start at power forward against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday for his first start in his 60th game as a Sun.

2 days ago

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Rotation quibbles hang over Suns’ fight for postseason spot

The dueling forces for what direction the Phoenix Suns should go in the future are actively playing a role in their current season.

2 days ago

LeBron James reportedly recruiting Kevin Durant for Olympics; Devin Booker interested