PARIS – Following another gold medal win for the U.S. men’s basketball team at the Paris Olympics, the focus is now shifting towards the 2028 Games in Los Angeles for USA Basketball.

For the men’s team, there are several issues that need addressing – from Jaylen Brown’s outspoken remarks regarding his absence from the Olympic roster to Jayson Tatum’s “did not play – coach’s decision” in both matches against Serbia, not to mention the lineup and coaching team that could secure the U.S. a sixth straight gold medal amidst growing competition from other nations.

Grant Hill, the managing director of the USA Basketball men’s national team, has a significant task ahead.

It’s unclear if Brown and Tatum will be part of the 2028 roster, but these discussions do impact players’ decisions, particularly in Tatum’s case. When a player of his caliber doesn’t get playing time in crucial Olympic moments, it can discourage others from committing to future tournaments.

Tatum, however, handled the situation with maturity. He expressed disappointment about not playing but maintained a focus on the team’s success. He’s to be commended for keeping the atmosphere positive and showing willingness for future participation in 2028.

U.S. coach Steve Kerr’s primary goal was to secure the gold medal. In today’s competitive global basketball landscape, anything less is considered a failure. Kerr led the team to victory over France, achieving a fifth straight gold medal and reaffirming America’s dominance in basketball.

Kerr’s choice to bench Tatum during both matches against Serbia raised some eyebrows. How can someone who is a first-team All-NBA player and just won a championship not see action in the Olympics?

Criticism came from various generations of players, including legends like Bob Cousy, Charles Barkley, Paul Pierce, and Draymond Green. Even Kerr grappled with the decision to not play Tatum, as the situation became a talking point during the competition.

Kerr referred to it as a “math problem.” With limited minutes to distribute during tight games, he chose his most effective lineup. It was clear Kerr preferred having Devin Booker and, at times, Anthony Edwards on the court over Tatum. While Kerr didn’t elaborate much on his decision, Tatum’s performance in limited time wasn’t particularly impressive, while Booker consistently shined. Although LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant attracted most of the headlines, Booker’s two-way contributions were crucial.

There were moments, especially during the semifinals against Serbia, where it would have made sense for Kerr to give Tatum playing time instead of Edwards, who wasn’t performing at his best during those crucial games.

Now, consider the backlash if Kerr had tried to give every player equal time and ended up losing gold. The outcry would have been substantial.

Winning gold in Los Angeles is going to be tougher than in Paris. The U.S. will undoubtedly have one of the most talented 12-player rosters among all 12 teams, but the lack of continuity and experience playing together could be an issue.

Countries like Serbia, Germany, France, and Australia are expected to have most of their players committed to several international competitions in the upcoming four years, including the 2027 FIBA World Cup. In contrast, USA Basketball may not receive similar commitments, as many American NBA stars are reluctant to sacrifice back-to-back summers for international duties, particularly if they extend their playoff runs.

Whether it was a deliberate decision by FIBA or not, scheduling the World Cup a year before the Olympics may help level the playing field.

This means the U.S. will have to prepare a team that hasn’t had time to gel, train for just a week, play a few exhibition matches before the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and then aim for the gold medal. This is the challenge facing the U.S. men’s team. Since reshaping the national team before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the U.S. has relied heavily on pure talent, which proved effective in Paris with leaders like James, Curry, and Durant.

However, there will come a time when the U.S. will fall short of winning gold at the Olympics, and such an outcome shouldn’t come as a shock.