[Vardon] "LeBron James and Anthony Davis are not expected to play in the Tokyo Olympics, a source tells @joevardon. Steph Curry, per a source, is “50-50” on playing, while Damian Lillard is believed to have strong interest."

Original Article Here via The Athletic - Jayson Tatum could be the Team USA building block for Tokyo Olympics, with eyes on Dame Lillard and Steph Curry

The NBA’s first round of the playoffs is complete, and a whole new crop of stars are now free to commit, or not, to Team USA for Tokyo. Tatum headlines that group, along with Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards, and Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. They join a pool that already included Stephen Curry of the Warriors, Zion Williamson of the Pelicans and Zach LaVine of the Bulls, among others.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis are officially on vacation, after the Lakers lost in six games to Phoenix, but neither LeBron nor Davis is expected to play for Team USA due to their terrible seasons of injuries, according to a source close to both players. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are on the list, but their Clippers survived Game 7 against Dallas (which has no American stars in the Team USA pool) on Sunday — the final game of the entire first round.

Curry, according to a source, is “50-50” on whether he takes his first crack at Olympic gold. Lillard is believed to have strong interest in playing, though no final decision has been made.

...

Jaylen Brown missed this season’s playoffs after wrist surgery and is a “no” for Tokyo. Kemba Walker has said he is looking forward to a long, full offseason to heal his ailing knee, which would make him an unlikely candidate.

If you’re wondering, Memphis’ Ja Morant and the Blazers’ CJ McCollum are not in the American pool of 57.

Other names mentioned in the Team USA pool:

• Andre Drummond

• Montrezl Harrell

• Kyle Kuzma

• Julius Randle

• Mitchell Robinson

• Duncan Robinson

E: Full list of names in Team USA pool (From an older The Athletic article) (Crossed out names not joining if stated their disinterest or due to injuries):

Team USA roster pool

No playoffs

• Warriors

  • Stephen Curry
  • Klay Thompson (injured)
  • Draymond Green

• Rockets

  • John Wall
  • Eric Gordon
  • Christian Wood

• Raptors

  • Kyle Lowry
  • Fred VanVleet

• Pelicans

  • Zion Williamson
  • Brandon Ingram

• Cavaliers

  • Jarrett Allen
  • Kevin Love

• Spurs

  • Derrick White
  • DeMar DeRozan

• Pistons

  • Jerami Grant
  • Mason Plumlee

• Spurs

  • Derrick White
  • DeMar DeRozan

• Pacers

  • Myles Turner
  • Malcolm Brogdon

• Bulls

  • Zach LaVine

• Hornets

  • Gordon Hayward

• Kings

  • Harrison Barnes

• Retired

  • LaMarcus Aldridge

Playoffs - 1st Round Exits

• Lakers

  • LeBron James
  • Anthony Davis
  • Kyle Kuzma
  • Andre Drummond
  • Montrezl Harrell

• Wizards

  • Russell Westbrook
  • Bradley Beal

• Celtics

  • Jayson Tatum
  • Jaylen Brown (injured)
  • Marcus Smart
  • Kemba Walker

• Heat

  • Bam Adebayo
  • Jimmy Butler
  • Victor Oladipo (injured)
  • Duncan Robinson

• Knicks

  • Julius Randle
  • Mitchell Robinson

• Blazers

  • Damian Lillard

Playoffs - In 2nd Round

• Nets

  • Kyrie Irving
  • Kevin Durant
  • James Harden
  • Joe Harris
  • Blake Griffin
  • DeAndre Jordan

• Suns

  • Devin Booker
  • Chris Paul

• Clippers

  • Kawhi Leonard
  • Paul George

• Bucks

  • Khris Middleton
  • Jrue Holiday
  • Brook Lopez

• Jazz

  • Donovan Mitchell
  • Mike Conley Jr.

• 76ers

  • Dwight Howard
  • Tobias Harris

• Hawks

  • Trae Young

• Nuggets

  • JaVale McGee