Jayson Tatum Intends to Play at 2024 Paris Olympics for Team USA

On Monday, Boston Celtics star wing Jayson Tatum told The Messenger's Jeff Goodman that he intends to compete in next summer's Paris Olympics for Team USA.

It would mark the second Olympic appearance for Tatum, a four-time NBA All-Star. The 25-year-old also played for the U.S. at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he was the national team's second-leading scorer (behind Phoenix Suns wing Kevin Durant) at 15.2 points per game -- while shooting 49.3% from the field, 44.7% from three and 72.7% from the foul-line.

He also was the Americans' fourth-leading rebounder (at 3.3 per game) and was tied with Durant and Miami big man Bam Adebayo for the team lead in blocks (at 1.2 per game). After falling to France in the opening game of group play, the Americans went on to win their fourth-straight Olympic gold medal, with a 87-82 win in a rematch against the French in the clincher.

With Tatum seemingly ready to go for Paris, the attention turns to who will join him. Last month, The Athletic reported that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is ready to commit to Team USA for the Summer Games, and has spoken with Durant, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Lakers big man Anthony Davis and Warriors forward Draymond Green regarding their interest.

The report also said that Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard and Suns guard Devin Booker were interested in returning to Team USA after competing in Tokyo. Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, who competed for Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox are also reportedly intrigued by the prospect of playing in Paris.

Then, there is Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, the reigning league MVP. During the franchise's media day on Monday, Embiid told reporters that he was still deciding whether to compete for Cameroon, France or the United States in Paris. A citizen of all three countries, Embiid said he would make his decision "in the next few days."

Team USA, which saw Warriors head coach Steve Kerr take over for San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich in December of 2021, is coming off a disappointing performance at the FIBA World Cup this past summer. Thanks to a loss to eventual gold medalists Germany in the semifinals, and another loss to Canada in the bronze-medal game, the U.S. finished fourth, failing to medal for the second-straight time in the event.