Kevin Durant will remain a bench player for Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics, as confirmed by Coach Steve Kerr. Despite Durant’s remarkable career, including being the all-time leading scorer for Team USA in men’s basketball, Kerr has indicated that there are no immediate plans to alter his role. “There’s no plans on changing (Durant coming off the bench),” Kerr stated. “However, as the competition intensifies, it’s likely Kevin will see increased playing time. For now, he will continue to come off the bench, but we plan to rely on him more as the tournament progresses.”
Team USA will face Brazil in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Durant, who missed all five of the team’s exhibition games due to a calf strain, has been easing back into form. In the three Olympic games he has participated in so far, Durant has made a significant impact despite his bench role, averaging 16.0 points per game and ranking fifth in minutes played with 19.2 per game. His shooting accuracy is impressive, with a field goal percentage of 63.6% and a three-point percentage of 71.4%.
Historically, Durant has been a starter for every competitive international game he has played with Team USA, spanning the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics as well as the 2010 FIBA World Cup. Despite this, Durant is not concerned about his current role. “It’s basketball; it really doesn’t matter who starts,” Durant remarked after a 104-83 victory over Puerto Rico. “The focus should be on who finishes the game and makes the biggest impact while on the court. I aim to contribute in any way I can.”
Coach Kerr has utilized a consistent starting trio of Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James, with the remaining two spots rotating based on the matchup. With so many elite players available, Kerr is constantly adjusting lineups to find the best combinations. Durant, who has paired effectively with Anthony Edwards—a tournament-leading scorer—has seamlessly integrated into his role off the bench.
Kerr noted that if Durant had joined the team from the start, he would likely have been a starter. “The plan was initially for him to start,” Kerr explained. “However, since he missed the friendlies and joined the team late, we had already established a lineup that worked well. Durant’s performance and synergy with the team, especially during the game against Serbia, made it clear that he was fitting well in his current role.
