Team USA needs a sub.
Bradley Beal will miss the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo after the Wizards star was placed in the COVID-19 health and safety protocols, USA Basketball announced on Thursday. Pistons star Jerami Grant is also in the COVID-19 protocols under an abundance of caution, team officials said, and his status for the Olympics has yet to be determined.
Beal scored 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting in USA’s 28-point win over Argentina, but he shot 1 of 7 in their loss to Nigeria and turned in 12 points in their loss to Australia. It’s unclear whether USA Basketball will replace the guard with another guard.
If they do, they could choose a player from the USA Select squad — the young players who trained with Team USA at its camp in Las Vegas. That team included Rookie of the Year runner-up Anthony Edwards, Cleveland’s Darius Garland, Miami’s Tyler Herro, Sacramento’s Tyrese Haliburton and Knicks up-and-comers Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin.
Knicks star Julius Randle is also on the radar as Beal’s replacement and would instantly upgrade the team at the center position.
Neither James Harden (hamstring) nor Kyrie Irving (ankle) are expected to replace Beal on the roster, since both had significant leg injuries that hampered them in the playoffs.
Team USA went 1-2 in exhibition games and will play two more exhibition games; against Australia on Friday and vs. Spain on Sunday.
The Olympics begin for Team USA on July 25 in Saitama, Japan. Gregg Popovich’s squad opens up against France and Kevin Durant will play his Nets teammate Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.
“I definitely talked my s--- to TLC a couple times about how he can’t guard me, and how I lock him up on defense,” Durant said about the matchup. “So I can’t wait to talk even more s--- when I see him with his national team.”
