After Team USA’s gold medal win in Paris, LeBron James closed the chapter on international basketball for good. “I can’t see myself playing in Los Angeles 2028,” James said at the time. But… that door apparently never actually shut. An insider reports that USA Basketball is prepared to make a unique exception.
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“If LeBron wants to play, he’ll get a roster spot,” Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective.
However, fellow insider Tim MacMahon immediately reminded Windhorst about what James said as recently as 2025.
“You already know my answer,” James told Steve Nash and Stephen Curry on Mind the Game. “So don’t even ask. I will be watching it from Cabo.”
Before we dive into the actual possibility of James playing in 2028, it is important to note that he was already 39 during the last edition. And at that age, James, the oldest player on the Team USA roster, still walked away with MVP honors. He averaged 14.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 10.2 assists (the most by an American in Olympic history) while leading the country to its fifth straight gold medal.
James’ fourth-quarter takeover in the semifinal against Serbia and a double-double in the gold medal win over France were widely credited as difference-makers in a tournament that was tougher than expected for perennial winners, Team USA.
Crucially, James will turn 43 years, six months, and 14 days old by the time we reach the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. But he’s consciously downplayed the idea of playing in a city he called home for eight years more than once.
“[LeBron’s] gonna have his career end with the 2027-28 season, why not go out with the fifth Olympics?” MacMahon said. “He’s got a place in LA to stay. He doesn’t even have to stay in a hotel.”
Aside from having a home in LA, MacMahon’s statement also makes sense from a timing perspective. The 2027-28 NBA season would end in June 2028, following the Finals. The Olympics are scheduled to begin in barely a month, in mid-July.
So, if LeBron opts in for his player option in his second season with the Philadelphia 76ers, we really see no reason why he shouldn’t be (at least) considered for the Team USA roster…
It starts getting complicated if James doesn’t run out his $8 million deal and pulls out after a season alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown. Still, Windhorst’s comments suggest USA Basketball isn’t taking LeBron’s stance as the final word.
One more factor strongly favors James.
Team USA’s new head coach, Erik Spoelstra, has worked with him before at the Miami Heat, where they won back-to-back championships. However, when Coach Spo was asked about his selection process earlier this year, he confirmed that he hadn’t spoken to “any potential guys” yet.
Interestingly, if James had picked the Heat (where Spoelstra still coaches) instead of the 76ers as his new NBA team, maybe, just maybe, this conversation would’ve been a lot more nuanced.
And if you’ve been following James over the years, you know he hates sitting out. In 2016, when James couldn’t participate in the Rio Olympics for fitness reasons, he admitted he felt a pang of envy being at home. But evidently so, a decade later, circumstances have changed, and the 41-year-old has accepted Father Time.
“This is my last decision,” LeBron said after choosing the 76ers. “I’m not going for money. … What am I really playing for at this point? … I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship. I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.”
Until now, James has played in four Olympics, winning gold medals in 2008, 2012, and 2024 and a bronze medal in 2004. It’s the kind of resume and recognition only arguably 1 in 10,000 sportspersons achieve in their career.
Hence, if James is still playing at a high level deep into his 40s in Philadelphia, USA Basketball’s willingness to hold a spot open becomes less of a formality and more of a real possibility.
The Akron Hammer will become the oldest Olympic basketball player ever, surpassing Australian legend Lauren Jackson, who competed at 43 years and 79 days in Paris. However, James would still be far behind Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn, who has been the oldest Olympian ever at 72 since 1920.
Meanwhile, what is James’ direct rival, turned best friend, saying about the next Olympics?
“God willing, I still have the choice and physical option where I could impact the team,” Stephen Curry said in 2025. “Never say never, but I highly doubt it.”
Curry will turn 40 by the time the LA Games roll by. Contractually, he is with the Warriors through the 2026-27 season, but is also eligible to sign another two-year extension worth up to $136.7 million with the Dubs. That keeps the sharpshooter in business come the Olympics.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant also expressed interest in continuing his Team USA journey, admitting he wouldn’t want his name taken out of the consideration just because of his age.
“I know I’ve got my work cut out for me to make that team,” Durant said, who’ll be almost 40 when the 2028 Olympics begin. He is also currently under contract with the Houston Rockets until the 2027-28 season (player option).
It remains to be seen how Spoelstra balances his most senior players with the considerably younger crop of talent, led by Jalen Brunson in particular, who recently won his first ring and the Finals MVP.