Team USA Fills Openings for Departed Bradley Beal & Kevin Love

 

Bradley Beal is devastated to be missing out on his chance to play in the Olympics. He entered the Covid health and safety protocols on Thursday, and will not be able to go to Tokyo. Kevin Love also pulled out, so that left two openings to fill. 

REPORT: Keldon Johnson and JaVale McGee will replace Bradley Beal and Kevin Love for Team USA, via @wojespn pic.twitter.com/G0vhbOMpUl

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 16, 2021

Keldon Johnson and JaVale McGee will replace Bradley Beal and Kevin Love on Team USA's roster for the Olympics, sources tell ESPN. McGee will travel to Las Vegas to join team on Saturday. https://t.co/236CgYVau0

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 16, 2021

Forward Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs had been part of the USA Select team that was practicing with the main squad, and of course national team coach Gregg Popovich knows him well. Johnson is said to have been in great condition, and, as Woj reports, has "become one of the favorites of the coaching staff."

JaVale McGee provides a center with elite rim-protection, something the team has lacked. 

Before the openings were filled, one of the first names that came to mind to join the national team was guard Trae Young, just coming off a breakout playoff run for the Atlanta Hawks. The thing is, guards Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker are joining the team as soon as the NBA Finals wrap up next week, so big men were in shorter supply for coach Pop. 

Others that were under consideration for the spots were Houston Rockets' big Christian Wood, Sixers forward Tobias Harris, and Heat RFA sharpshooter Duncan Robinson. 

Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports