Jayson Tatum was the odd man out of the United States' rotation at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Head coach Steve Kerr tinkered with the lineups throughout the tournament and the star forward filled a variety of roles from starter to key reserve to not playing at all in two different contests.
Coming off a gold medal with Team USA at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, an NBA title with the Celtics and three consecutive All-NBA First Team nods, Kerr's decision to omit Tatum from the rotation has been questionable, to say the least.
The 26-year-old was viewed as a cornerstone of the USA Basketball program after he averaged 15.2 points per game in Tokyo — the second-most on the team. He was one of just five returning players from that roster and was expected to be a featured player for the United States for years to come.
Will Kerr's handling of the situation put Tatum's status in jeopardy for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
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Will Jayson Tatum play for USA in the next Olympics?
Tatum answered honestly when asked if his role at the 2024 Paris Olympics would affect his status for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after Team USA took home the gold medal on Saturday.
"It was a tough personal experience on the court, but I'm not going to make any decision off emotions," Tatum told the media.
"If you asked me right now if I was going to play in 2028 — it is four years from now and I [would have] to take time and think about that. So I'm not going to make any decision based off how this experience was or how I felt individually."
ESPN's Brian Windhorst wrote that Tatum said "several times" that he was "thrilled with winning his second gold and didn't want his situation to take away from the team's success."
Tatum also admitted that although his friends and family want him to use this experience as motivation, it was still challenging on a personal level.
"I think the tough part is yes, you can use things to fuel you, but I'm still human," Tatum said.
"... Part of being in the moment, I've sacrificed and put a lot into this game and work really, really hard. So in the moment it is tough. You're not necessarily worried about fueling me for November or [whenever] the season is, but like I said, it's something I'm going to take away from this and learn from this experience. It's definitely challenging and humbling at the same time."
Head coach Kerr's reasoning for not playing Tatum was been all over the place.
"I felt like an idiot not playing him," Kerr said after he chose to bench Tatum in Team USA's first Group Stage game against Serbia. "40-minute game, you can't play more than 10. You really can't.
"He's an amazing guy, great player, handled it beautifully and he'll be back out there next game."
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Kerr kept his word and moved Tatum to the starting lineup in the next game, but the same issue popped up again in the semifinals against Serbia. In a game where the United States could have used versatility and athleticism on the wing to get out on shooters and crash the defensive glass, Tatum — who fits that bill — was glued to the bench.
This time, Kerr called it a "math problem."
“It’s not what I’m not seeing from Jayson. It’s what I’ve seen from the other guys,” Kerr told the AP's Tim Reynolds.
"... It’s not about anything Jayson is doing or not doing. It’s just about combinations and the way that group has played together, the way Kevin [Durant] has filled in since he came back from his injury.
"It’s just a math problem more than anything.”
Several NBA players spoke up when Kerr's reasoning made the rounds on social media.
Three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford posted on X, "Yea, no.. I'm not rolling with this."
Yea, no.. I’m not rolling with this. https://t.co/XHMlifAiZw
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) August 9, 2024
All-Stars Trae Young and Paul George went back and forth on how they can't fathom Tatum being the odd man out.
"JT can't be one of them [not playing]," George said.
"I don't understand that," Young agreed.
"How is JT the odd man out?" George responded.
MORE: Draymond Green calls out Steve Kerr before USA's comeback vs. Serbia
USA Basketball legend Carmelo Anthony expressed frustration in the comments section of Overtime's Instagram page. He wrote "SMH" under a picture of head coach Kerr with the caption, "Maybe we should put Jayson Tatum in the game? Idk."
Add Melo to the long list of people who aren't a fan of Steve Kerr benching Jayson Tatum for Team USA 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/uvOI8HLBm3
— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) August 9, 2024
Tatum will be 30 years old and in his prime by the time the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics come around. He would be one of the more experienced leaders on that team and could have two gold medals to his name.
Tatum has always been a player who appreciates what it means to play for Team USA, so it would be hard to believe he doesn't suit up, regardless of how the 2024 Olympics have played out.
There are also reports that Kerr may be one-and-done as USA Basketball's head coach after Paris. A new leader could be enough for Tatum to put this past experience behind him and pursue his third gold medal in 2028.
