With NBA players dropping out of Team USA’s camp and declining invites to play, will any Miami Heat players draw an invitation to play or scrimmage?
Team USA has suffered as a result of the mass migration of NBA superstars from team to team this summer. With so many teams looking completely different, many players have declined invitations or dropped out of camp in order to develop chemistry with new teammates and prepare for next season. Considering the high rate of turnover, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a Miami Heat player get an invitation.
Aside from the main roster, Team USA also maintains a roster of young and promising players against which they practice and scrimmage, called the USA Basketball Select team. Currently on the Select roster are Jarrett Allen, Marvin Bagley III, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, John Collins, Pat Connaughton, De’Aaron Fox, Joe Harris, Jonathan Isaac, Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, Derrick White and Rookie Of The Year runner-up Trae Young.
Considering the caliber of this talented group of young players, Miami Heat youngsters like Tyler Herro, Justise Winslow and Derrick Jones Jr. could be excellent fits on the Select team.
As for the Team USA roster that USA Basketball will be taking to the FIBA World Cup, the dropouts alone could probably win a championship. Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, James Harden, Eric Gordon, Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal, Kevin Love, Tobias Harris and Paul Millsap have all removed their names from consideration in order to prepare for the coming season.
On this roster, should Team USA come calling, Jimmy Butler could certainly fill a need if he was so inclined to play. However, considering the valid reasons for dropping out that each of those players has, Butler certainly qualifies as someone who could prioritize preparation for next season over the opportunity to play for USA Basketball in the World Cup.
There is certainly no guarantee that any Miami Heat players will get a call from USA Basketball, but the organization has candidates if there is mutual interest.