Team USA announces roster worth $3.4 billion

A truly shocking breakdown of Team USA’s squad for the Tokyo Olympics has revealed one of the richest teams ever assembled in sport.

Kevin Durant will lead Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics.

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant will compete for a third Olympic title in Tokyo alongside a new group of NBA stars seeking gold, according to an ESPN report Wednesday.

A story on the US-based sports television network’s website said Durant, whose team was eliminated by Milwaukee in the second round of the NBA playoffs, will be the only player returning from the 2016 Rio champions.

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USA Basketball finalised its roster on Wednesday with commitments from Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine and Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant, according to the story.

Those making their Olympic debut will include Portland’s Damian Lillard, Washington’s Bradley Beal, Miami’s Bam Adebayo, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Golden State’s Draymond Green.

Lillard is set to make his Olympics debut.

The line-up reportedly also includes Cleveland forward Kevin Love, who helped the US to gold in London in 2012.

Three other players on the reported roster remain in the NBA playoffs: Phoenix swingman Devin Booker and Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton and guard Jrue Holiday.

Perhaps what is most shocking about the star-studded line-up is just how much they’re worth.

According to ESPN NBA insider Bobby Marks, the salaries of the Team USA roster add up to an eye-watering $AUD3.4 billion.

Durant leads the way with a $AUD52 million salary for the 2020-21 NBA season, followed by Middleton with $AUD43.5 million and Lillard with $AUD41.6 million.

Booker is in line to make his Olympics bow when the NBA finals conclude.

In comparison to the Boomers, the highest salary aside from $AUD40 million man Ben Simmons is San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills, who made $AUD17.8 this season.

However, there is rampant speculation that Simmons will rule himself out from the Olympics after a horrendous playoffs showing against Atlanta.

That would leave the Boomers with seven NBA players on the roster, with the remainder of the team comprised of NBL stars along with Nick Kay, Brock Motum and Duop Reath, who ply their trade in Spain, Turkey and Serbia respectively.

The Boomers begin their Olympics campaign against Nigeria on July 25, while Team USA commence their gold medal defence against France on the same day.

Originally published as Team USA announces roster worth $3.4 billion