FIBA World Cup 2019: Report - D'Angelo Russell, Mike Conley Jr. headline potential replacements for Team USA

Benyam Kidane

FIBA World Cup 2019: Report - D'Angelo Russell, Mike Conley Jr. headline potential replacements for Team USA image

Team USA's roster will take on a new look for the World Cup, following several stars withdrawing from their 20-man squad.

According to The Athletic's Joe Vardon, Mike Conley Jr (Utah Jazz), D'Angelo Russell (Golden State Warriors), Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics), Josh Richardson (Philadelphia 76ers), Thaddeus Young (Chicago Bulls) and Julius Randle (New York Knicks) are all on the radar to join the team.

"We are blessed with a lot of talent, a lot of talent in the NBA," USA Basketball director Jerry Colangelo told Vardon. "There is no panic. It may be more challenging, but we will be able to field a very competitive team.

"We've had players call us who want to be on our list."

The 20-man roster named last month is down to 14 players, following the withdrawal of James Harden, Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon from the USA Basketball Training Camp and the FIBA World Cup. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Washington Wizards All-Star guard Bradley Beal will also skip the tournament due to the birth of his child, while The Athletic's Shams Charania reports that Tobias Harris will also withdraw from World Cup consideration.

No. 1 overall pick in the draft, Zion Williamson was invited to training camp in August as a member of the 10-man Select Team, with a chance to compete for a spot on the World Cup roster, however he will skip the camp to concentrate on preparing for the upcoming season with the New Orleans Pelicans.  
 

 
The Select Team will practice against Team USA during camp, giving younger players a chance to make the squad and according to Vardon, Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks), De'Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings), Joe Harris (Brooklyn Nets), Jarrett Allen (Brooklyn Nets) and Mitchell Robinson (New York Knicks) have all been invited.
 
With the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo next summer, the FIBA World Cup presents an opportunity for players to impress new head coach Gregg Popovich as he establishes his core of players for international play.

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.