Steve Starr
- BetUS allows you to bet on what NBA stars will make the U.S. Olympic Men’s Team
- USA Basketball recently announced 57 finalists for the 2021 Dream Team
- The 2021 Olympic Games is scheduled to take place in Tokyo from July 23 to Aug. 8
In early March, USA Basketball announced the names of the 57 players who are in the running to make the official 12-member “Dream Team” roster this summer in Tokyo, Japan. There will apparently be no tryouts for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team and the selection committee is expected to make their decisions based in part on player availability and health.
Let’s look at some of the big names who are favored to make and miss the final roster cuts. If you’re a hoops fan, you can also find our NBA Basketball betting guide here.
US Olympic Men’s Basketball Team Odds
| Player |  |
| Jrue Holiday | |
| No | -400 |
| Yes | +250 |
| Zach Lavine | |
| No | +200 |
| Yes | -300 |
| Julius Randle | |
| No | +170 |
| Yes | -250 |
| Fred Van Vleet | |
| No | -300 |
| Yes | +200 |
| Zion Williamson | |
| No | +325 |
| Yes | -550 |
| Trae Young | |
| No | -120 |
| Yes | -120 |
| Bam Adebayo | |
| No | +225 |
| Yes | -350 |
| Bradley Beal | |
| No | +350 |
| Yes | -600 |
| Devin Booker | |
| No | +150 |
| Yes | -200 |
| Jaylen Brown | |
| No | -200 |
| Yes | +150 |
| Jimmy Butler | |
| Yes | -350 |
| No | +225 |
| Stephen Curry | |
| No | +400 |
| Yes | -700 |
| Anthony Davis | |
| No | +375 |
| Yes | -650 |
| Kevin Durant | |
| No | +400 |
| Yes | -700 |
| Paul George | |
| No | +170 |
| Yes | -250 |
| Draymond Green | |
| No | -450 |
| Yes | +275 |
| James Harden | |
| No | +375 |
| Yes | -650 |
| Kyrie Irving | |
| No | +325 |
| Yes | -550 |
| LeBron James | |
| No | +425 |
| Yes | -800 |
| Kawhi Leonard | |
| No | +400 |
| Yes | -700 |
| Damian Lillard | |
| No | +375 |
| Yes | -550 |
| Donovan Mitchell | |
| No | -400 |
| Yes | +250 |
| Chris Paul | |
| No | +200 |
| Yes | -300 |
| Jayson Tatum | |
| No | +325 |
| Yes | -550 |
Will the big names play?
Three-time Olympic medalist LeBron James (2008 and 2012 gold, 2004 bronze) is so far non-committal but could be become just the second male basketball player to make four U.S. Olympic teams (tying Carmelo Anthony), while Kevin Durant (2012 and 2016 gold medalist) and Chris Paul (2008 and 2012 gold medalist) are seeking to become three-time Olympians.
All are heavy favorites to make the 2021 Dream Team, but it’s still up in the air to how many NBA stars will actually participate in the event – especially in the case of James and Durant who have racked up heavy miles and injuries over the years.
The U.S. women’s basketball team will see France and host Japan and Nigeria while the men’s team will play France and Iran in group play at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.https://t.co/9CvJBsHb5K
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 2, 2021
There’s also the fact that training camp will begin July 1 while the NBA playoffs are ongoing, and that the Olympics start July 23, just one day from the potential date of Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Before placing your wagers, be aware that BetUS has set certain stipulations on the bet so if you wager NO on James at +425 and he opts out, you will not be paid out.
Potential betting opportunities
Stephen Curry has long said he would like the chance to compete in the Olympics and with Steve Kerr serving as an assistant coach on the club, the sharpshooter is a virtual lock at -700. Kawhi Leonard also said he intends to play if healthy this summer, but his acrimonious history with national team head coach Gregg Popovich could make the Clippers star a strong bet not make the final roster (+400).
Kyrie Irving is +325 to not make the cut – which given his mental health issues and general unreliability seems to be a lay up.
Kawhi and Popovich reunited? Leonard wants to go to Olympics (from @AP) https://t.co/B5WfKmDPWs
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 7, 2021
With the absurd level of talent on the list of 57 finalists, there won’t be enough spots for all these stars. Zach Lavine (+200), Julius Randle (+170), Bam Adebayo (+225), Devin Booker (+150), Jimmy Butler (+225) and Paul George (+170) are just a sampling of the players you can bet on to not to make the roster.
This isn’t a slight to any of those stars, but simply a reflection of the depth and quality of guys that USA basketball has to choose from.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
