NBA Notebook: Jayson Tatum bridging Olympic legends with Team USA's new era

Kevin Durant returned to the practice floor in Paris after missing Team USA's exhibitions with a calf injury and landed on an Anthony Edwards poster. Durant led the US to gold in 2021 and has achieved one of the most successful Olympic careers of any basketball player. Edwards began his first run at gold by saying that the offense has to run through him. Them meeting at the rim encapsulated what'll become the greatest challenge for the Americans after assembling one of the team's most talented basketball rosters in its history -- combining new-era and old-school stars in a way we haven't seen before. They've also never played against a more talented field, with Canada, France, Serbia, Australia and Germany boasting multiple NBA stars. 

Grant Hill, who led the process of building the roster, said American icons like LeBron James and Durant would always be welcome on the roster. Steph Curry, due to injuries and timing, made his first appearance on the Olympic roster and would always be a shoo-in starter. Then, Joel Embiid pivoted away from his previous intention to compete with France, joining Team USA as the superstar center they'd long sought to bang with the most talented position worldwide. Yet Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo also entered this summer healthy and available to play inside. Hill prioritized Jrue Holiday from the start, and soon replaced Kawhi Leonard with Derrick White in a controversial move that still hasn't been fully explained by all sides. Edwards often played off the bench in the exhibitions despite his intention to become a first option. Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum's roles fluctuated.

"We got high character guys," Tatum said. "That understand what we're trying to accomplish and understand how tough it is to put 12 new guys on the team with 40 days to get to know each other and practice and be away from their family to try to win a gold medal. That's all that matters, not who starts, how many points you average. All that matters is if you come home with the gold medal. So having that mindset and having guys that understand that you have to change a little bit. Still be yourself, be who you are that got you to this point, but we all have to change a little bit in our roles or whatever we have to do to try to win."

Tatum exemplified the challenge of acclimating to this roster more than any other player following his championship run with Boston, and that happened with Durant (calf) sidelined for the exhibitions. He came off the bench in Las Vegas against Canada, started in wins over Serbia and Australia in Abu Dhabi, then returned to a backup role in London for narrow wins over South Sudan and Germany. He averaged 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steal per game, shooting 46.7% from the field. He didn't hit a three across five games and rarely attempted them, going 0-for-6, and drew five free throws. The new stars have to contend with the legends of old. 

Some of his play stemmed from his message of sacrifice, reverence to the legends on the roster, and Tatum could use that rest from the massive minutes and usage he took on during the Celtics' championship run. His role, though, is a far cry from the pivotal one he shared alongside Durant in the Tokyo Olympics. Only Durant attempted more than Tatum's 11.2 shots per game across their six game march toward gold. Tatum averaged 15.2 PPG, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game while attempting 6.3 threes per game (44.7% 3PT) then, albeit on a less stacked roster built around himself, Durant, Damian Lillard, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Draymond Green, Adebayo, Holiday and Booker. Hill, while putting together something closer to a dream team, also wanted to learn from some of the struggles past US teams experienced in international competition by prioritizing connectivity. They made Holiday a top priority, then added to that skill set by calling White as Leonard's replacement. 

"You put a lot of thought into the pieces, what you need, complementing each other and roles, and trying to envision what you'll see," Hill said. "It looks a certain way on paper ... as we're working to get better, we've had a chance to put ourselves in some five-on-five against competition. How'd we feel about our team? What are our needs? What are some of the gaps? So collectively, we had a discussion about that ... we're thrilled to add Derrick White ... he just won a championship, one of the many things that I really love about Derrick and particularly with this team is I feel like I don't think his role changes much with our team from what he does with the Celtics ... this setting is hard when you come in and you're the center of your universe and you have to establish a role ... to have someone who can come in and play off guys, be complementary to some others, but then also stand out and be a dynamite defensive player, knock down shots, just impact winning." 

James led the team in scoring and assists, stealing a win late from South Sudan with his last-second layup to avoid a historic upset. He similarly shut down Germany's late rally attempt with a three in the final minute. He'll start and close, while a more delicate balance might exist for Edwards, who averaged 13.0 PPG on 48% shooting, but at times play erratically in crowds. Team USA's 14.2 turnovers per game undermined them throughout the ramp-up process, and after playing a small role in the win over Serbia and sitting in the first half against South Sudan, White emerged with five assists and three rebounds over 11 minutes. He closed the win with Curry, James, Davis and Booker. Tyrese Haliburton did not play against Germany. 

The most likely starting lineup when healthy will feature Curry, James, Durant, Embiid and Holiday. Holiday became a regular starter through the exhibitions, and as they expected, the most seamless fit in his role among the team's stars. He shot 60% from the field and 42.9% from three in the games, trailing only James with 3.2 APG. Embiid shot only 51.5% and played beneath the pace the US targeted, and even fouled out of the Canada opener. For the sake of managing the team's personalties, and maintaining the pleasantly surprising dominance of Adebayo and Davis off the bench, Embiid will probably stay with the starters while another center closes. That leaves Tatum on the bench, vying with Booker, White and Holiday for the fifth and final closing spot. 

Can Tatum's ability to do the other things, rebounding, passing and defending across each position, prove important enough to include him in that group? That could change on a game-by-game basis when Steve Kerr inevitably continues shuffling lineups into group play, which begins on Sunday against Serbia at 11:15 EST. 

Here's who the US is competing with: 

• Team USA's group includes Nikola Jokić's Serbia, the Puerto Rican team led by Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado and former Celtic Tremont Waters, along with the miraculous South Sudanese team that came one possession away from an all-time sporting upset last week. Former Bulls guard Carlik Jones, former Maine Celtic Marial Shayok and Wenyen Gabriel, a former NBA veteran who competed in Celtics training camp last year, led the team's offensive effort against the US. South Sudan also features Khaman Maluach, a 7-2, 17 year old Duke commit, and JT Thor from the Hornets. The now widely-told story of Luol Deng, the former Bulls star who was born in modern day South Sudan, and his effort to organize and fund the country's national team in the aftermath of civil war and ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region is one of the best at this year's Olympics. They defeated Great Britain and lost to Argentina in their other exhibition play. Puerto Rico lost to Spain, Canada, Greece and Australia. Serbia lost to the US and Australia, but defeated Greece and Japan. They're the favorite to advance with the US.
• The stacked Group A features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray's Canada, Giannis Antetokounmpo's Greece, a powerful and deep Australian team, along with the experienced Spanish national team. Canada is a strong threat to reach the gold medal game against the US given their NBA talent, also featuring RJ Barrett, Andrew Nembhard, Lu Dort, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dwight Powell, Trey Lyles and Kelly Olynyk. Free agent and Celtics champion Oshae Brissett backed out to focus on finding his next team. Australia defeated Spain in its opening game behind Jock Landale's 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists. He similarly posted 20 against the US in the exhibition. Australia also features Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Dyson Daniels and Josh Green. The Spanish, led by Grizzlies big Santi Aldama's 27 points in their loss, have an older, but connected roster led by Willy Hernangómez, Juancho Hernangómez, Usman Garuba and Spanish legend Rudy Fernández competing in his sixth Olympics. Antetokounmpo leads Greece alongside former NBA Draft selections Nick Calathes and Georgios Papagiannis. 
• Group C is led by 2023 World Cup champion Germany, which defeated Japan, 97-77, in its opening game led by Franz Wagner's 22 points, 7-for-7 shooting by former Celtic Daniel Theis and a Dennis Schröder double-double. Moe Wagner added 15 points off the bench. Rui Hachimura (20 PTS) and Yuta Watanabe (16 PTS) led Japan in scoring. Host France rolled through Brazil in its opener, with Victor Wembanyama flashing his now routine brilliance with 19 points, nine rebounds, two assists, four steals and three blocks. Nic Batum, Evan Fournier, Rudy Gobert and Celtic fan favorite Guerschon Yabusele also play for France alongside Bilal Coulibaly and Frank Ntilikina.

Here's what else happened around the NBA this week...

Atlanta: Rookie Nikola Đurišić underwent surgery on his left foot fracture and will be evaluated in November. He hasn't been signed by the Hawks yet after they drafted him No. 43 overall. That and the injury could leave him stashed overseas this season. Kobe Bufkin (shoulder) and Seth Lundy (ankle) also missed Summer League, but are expected to recover in time for the season. Atlanta needs its guard depth to emerge alongside Trae Young after trading Dejounte Murray to New Orleans, with incoming guard in the deal Dyson Daniels expected to be part of the effort to replace Murray long-term. The Hawks traded forward E.J. Liddell, who also arrived in the Murray deal, for third-year big wing David Roddy from Phoenix this week. 

Boston: Jordan Walsh escaped his 0-for-22 three-point slump through the first four Summer League games by shooting 4-for-8 in the finale against Philadelphia. Walsh scored 18 points with seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks, commenting after that he played pretty bad in the Vegas slate, finishing 29.1% from the field and 13.3% from three. Elsewhere, Baylor Scheierman averaged 5.4 RPG and 3.4 APG to overcome his 29.4% three-point shooting, while Anton Watson shot an encouraging 51.1% from the field and 35% from three over five games. Watson said that he expected to begin working on a contract with Boston this week, a likely candidate for the team's third and final two-way spot. Sam Hauser and the Celtics agreed to a four-year, $45 million extension, locking up Boston's top-eight rotation from the Finals through the 2025-26 season, when Boston's roster will cost $500 million.

Boston released its preseason schedule, including two games in Abu Dhabi against Denver (10/4, 10/6), matchups with Philadelphia (10/12) and the Raptors (10/13) in Boston before finishing at Toronto (10/15). Wyc Grousbeck indicated that opening night will take place on Oct. 27 against the Heat, with Bob Cousy set to receive a championship ring alongside Boston's players. Jayson Tatum spoke to Sports Illustrated and appeared on its cover.

Brooklyn: Second-year guard Jalen Wilson won Summer League MVP by averaging 21.8 PPG on 47.3% shooting from the field and 55% three-point efficiency while attempting 8.0 per game. Wilson is signed for $1.9 million this season with a 2025-26 team option after. He'll receive more minutes in Brooklyn alongside Summer League standouts Noah Clowney and Keon Johnson, while former No. 7 overall pick Killian Hayes, who the Pistons waived late last season, will join the Nets in training camp on an Exhibit 10 contract. That will likely clear the way for him to play with the Long Island Nets.

Despite winning MVP, Wilson didn't join the All-Summer League First Team -- which included Grizzlies wing GG Jackson, lottery picks Kel'el Ware (MIA) and Reed Sheppard (HOU), along with Jordan Miller (LAC) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (MEM). Wilson made the second team with Jarace Walker (IND), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (MIA), Bub Carrington (WAS) and Donovan Clingan (POR). 

Chicago: Zach LaVine is expected to begin the 2024-25 season with the Bulls after the team unsuccessfully tried to trade him last year and into the offseason. LaVine played in only 25 games before undergoing season-ending surgery, averaging 19.5 PPG on 45.2% shooting, his worst season since 2017-18. He's signed for three more seasons and $138 million. Lonzo Ball (knee), who last played in 2022, said he's cleared for five-on-five play next month. The Bulls signed DJ Steward, who played in Maine last year, to a two-way contract after he averaged 17.4 PPG and shot 40% from three in Vegas. He scored 37 points, made eight threes and dished seven assists last Friday against the Hawks. 

Cleveland: Signed Evan Mobley to a five-year max extension that could reach $269 million if he makes All-NBA or wins defensive player of the year honors before it kicks in. It's guaranteed for $224 million and includes a 15% trade kicker as the Cavaliers try to build around its increasingly expensive core four players. They have $181 million on the books between nine players in 2025-26 when Mobley's deal begins, not too far behind Boston's loaded books. Isaac Okoro also remains in restricted free agency, who could add to Cleveland's long-term commitments if he sticks around. The Cavs have continued to shoot down interest from Darius Garland suitors, including the Spurs. Look out for rookie Jaylon Tyson, who averaged 15.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 4.4 APG on 58.8% shooting (40% 3PT) as one of the best first-year performers at Summer League. 

Dallas: Made two small additions this week, bringing back Spencer Dinwiddie to support Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic in the backcourt. Dinwiddie played 76 games across two seasons with the Mavs after arriving from Washington in the Kristaps Porziņģis trade. He most recently played with the Lakers after receiving a buyout from the Raptors, averaging 10.5 PPG and 4.7 APG on 39.2% shooting between his two teams. His three-point shooting fell to 33.7% on 4.8 attempts per game, but he fared better (38.9%) in LA. Kessler Edwards, a fourth-year shooting prospect, signed a two-way deal. 

Denver: Russell Westbrook officially signed a two-year, $6.8 million contract with a second-year player option in Denver after his trade from the Clippers to Utah. Zach Lowe wrote about the move, the Nuggets' quickly diminishing talent and who will win the west after Denver looked like a slam dunk to do so one year ago. Nikola Jokić and Team Serbia tip-off Olympic group play with Team USA on Sunday at 11:15 EST in France. The US won their exhibition earlier this month, 105-79, with Jokić only shooting 6-for-19. Now-Magic wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said Denver ran out of gas last postseason and should've lost in round one. 

Golden State: Hard to see Lauri Markkanen landing here given the price it'll likely cost despite the rumor of a deal between the Warriors and Jazz lingering deep into the summer. Warriors owner Joe Lacob said the team will keep trying to acquire significant talent this offseason, but asserted that you have to be careful with sending out years of draft picks in deals. Golden State owns its full assortment of future draft capital, aside from a protected first-rounder owed to Washington in 2030, and has young prospects like Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody. Those players have become harder to trade away as they enter the rotation and former as much of a part of the team's current rotation as they do their future. Kuminga and Podziemski feel like non-starters right now. And almost certainly would be if Steph Curry's window to contend for a title didn't look so small. Draymond Green said on his podcast that he's urged against the Warriors hurting their long-term prospects to improve marginally now. 

"We’ll consider anything," Lacob said. "I know what you’re alluding to, but you have to have two parties that are reasonably willing to do deals together that make sense for both sides.” 

Houston: Only Kel'el Ware impressed me more at Summer League among the rookies than Reed Sheppard, who averaged 33.1 minutes per game in 40-minute contests, appearing in all five Rockets games. He scored 20.0 PPG on 16.5 shots (50% FG) and managed 4.8 RPG, 5.3 APG and 2.8 SPG while struggling from three. The rookie guard impressed Ime Udoka, who called him exactly what the Rockets need and a natural leader. Udoka and Rockets Summer League coach Garrett Jackson sounded happy for their former Celtics players breaking through and winning they championship. They coached Boston to the Finals in 2022 before reuniting in Houston. Jackson appeared at Jayson Tatum's camp in Las Vegas while Team USA was there.

"It's cool seeing them on their journey," Jackson said. "I was with them when they lost the Finals that year, then the year (after), we made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before Jayson rolled his ankle on literally the first play, so I feel like the ups-and-downs, seeing everything they went through and then to see them have success, I'm really happy for them. They seem poised and they seem (to have) a been there, done that attitude." 

Indiana: Signed Andrew Nembhard to a three-year, $59 million extension after he became the most difficult player to slow during the Celtics' march to the championship. Nembhard shot 56% from the field in the playoffs, 54.1% against the Celtics and converted 47.6% of his threes in the east finals. That improved to 53.8% 3PT when Tyrese Haliburton went down, Nembhard giving the Pacers two second-half leads at home behind his 28.0 PPG and 9.5 APG. He became the fourth player to shoot 55% FG and 45% 3PT in a postseason, according to ESPN. Haliburton spoke to GQ about their run.

“I was sitting there and I was like, Dude, if we win a championship in Indiana,” he said. “Take (the Indianapolis 500) parade and double it, triple it. People in Indiana love basketball. So yeah, I think about it a lot.”

Lakers: The final line for Bronny James at Summer League: 8.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 35% FG, 15.8% 3PT. He improved slightly as the schedule progressed. Multiple seasons in the G-League appear necessary to get him up to NBA speed. That's now the question when Lakers training camp begins. Will they carry him with the team all season given that he's on a standard contract, or will he play out the year with South Bay like Jordan Walsh did in Boston? In Paris, as he prepares to lead Team USA, LeBron James appeared in what'll go down as an iconic sports image as the opening ceremonies. 

Miami: Won the Summer League championship narrowly over Memphis thanks to the Elam overtime ending. They impressed more than any other team though, and in ways that could translate to the regular season for the Heat. Kel'el Ware shined, averaging 18.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG and 1.5 BPG while shooting 61.8% FG (30% 3PT). Josh Christopher earned himself a two-way contract, finishing 52.5% from three on 6.7 attempts per game. Isaiah Stevens (undrafted, Colorado St.) averaged 7.8 APG, Keshad Johnson and Pelle Larsson hit shots, while guards Alondes Williams and Cole Swider, who the Heat might have to move on from in their flurry of roster moves, both finished over 45% from three and keyed the championship win. Good problems. Christopher and Johnson join Dru Smith as Miami's three two-way players. Stevens signed an Exhibit 10. Larsson remains unsigned. 

Milwaukee: Brook Lopez will most likely remain with the Bucks after Jon Horst emphasized him retiring with the team in an Athletic interview. Horst also said he'd do the Damian Lillard trade over again despite it leading to a disappointing season and Jrue Holiday landing with Boston. He believes the Bucks are among the best teams in the NBA entering next year and highlighted offseason additions Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr. and Delon Wright. 

"We’re the winningest team in the league and the conference the last seven or eight years," he said. "We still have our place there. We still have the best player in the world. We’ve got two top-75 players as our lead duo. We gotta be healthy. We gotta be lucky. We gotta be good. We’re definitely good enough. The guys are going to put in the right work. Hopefully we’re healthy enough and lucky enough and we’ll see." 

New York: Tom Thibodeau signed a three-year extension that takes him through the 2027-28 season with the Knicks. New York has gone 175-143 under Thibodeau, the former Celtics championship assistant, and has made three postseasons in their most successful run in recent franchise history. His strengths as a coach, defensive discipline and hard playing, contrasted against his infamously grueling minutes when the Knicks hit their physical limit in the playoffs and succumbed to multiple injuries in the second round of the playoffs. They're now in search of another center, which could take some time.

Utah: The Lauri Markkanen domino should topple the remaining offseason moves across the league into August. Multiple teams will await his extension deadline on Aug. 6, which is effectively the last day the Jazz can extend him and still trade him in the 2024-25 season, due to a six-month restriction against deals once it gets done. Utah faces an interesting balance between getting the best possible return for Markkanen alongside deciding whether competing with the group they have, as they've done early in seasons over the past two years, before finishing in the later portion of the lottery is worth it. The Jazz don't look close to contending, and Danny Ainge always knew when to reset. Elsewhere on the roster, there is reportedly a lack of interest in Jordan Clarkson.