'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Team USA Basketball were hit with discouraging news in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when Bradley Beal entered into health and safety protocols and had to be replaced. With the Olympics less than two weeks away, the team needs someone to take his spot.
Beal scored 17 points, six rebounds and three assists in Team USA’s 108-80 win over Argentina on Tuesday. He was blending in well with the other members of the squad and seemed to be back in shape after two losses. Beal was second in the NBA in scoring with 31.3 points a game during the 2020-21 regular season and has one of the best perimeter games in the league.
One of the major considerations for Beal’s replacement on Team USA is taking on someone who can play immediately. However, since the players currently on the team are ready for game action, whoever they get as a replacement would have time to get back in shape during practices and scrimmages, and play spot up minutes for the team at the beginning.
Several players could fit the bill, but not every player would be perfect to play on Team USA. With a July 25 date against France coming soon, their replacement will have to arrive soon.
Here are 3 players that Team USA Basketball should consider to replace Bradley Beal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics:
#3 Duncan Robinson
According to recent reports, Team USA is considering Duncan Robinson to take Beal’s spot. If they take the Miami Heat guard, no one will complain about them taking him. Robinson is a premier shooter and would ruin the opponent’s defense because they have to leave a player glued to him at all times.
Like a black hole attracting all sorts of heavenly objects, Robinson’s presence on the floor would give Team USA a player whom opponents would gravitate toward and leave the paint wide open for their slashers and inside players.
Robinson is a career 42.3 percent 3-point shooter and made 40.8 percent this past season for the Heat. He probably won’t start for Team USA but he could easily be the first shooting guard off the bench when they need an instant three.
Also Checkout: USA Olympic Basketball Team Schedule
#2 Julius Randle
Beal is a shooting guard and the natural replacement for him should be another shooting guard. But Team USA is also lacking in firepower, with Kevin Love not really playing as well as he could. Besides, with Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker and Khris Middleton joining after the NBA Finals, they have a ton of perimeter players and can try to bring in a post player with range.
Julius Randle played his best basketball this past season with 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. He also shot a career-high 41.1 percent from 3-point range, making him the perfect power forward for Team USA against international competition.
Randle developed into an excellent passer and he has an inside-outside game that would complement the other players in Team USA well. If coach Gregg Popovich decides that Love isn’t the big man answer off the bench, perhaps they can consider the New York Knicks forward.
#1 Trae Young
One of the problems that plagued Team USA in the exhibition matches against Nigeria and Australia was their messy offensive execution. As good as Damian Lillard is, he’s not as good a playmaker as the team needs him to be.
Trae Young would be an excellent player to take Beal’s place on Team USA's roster. The Atlanta Hawks guard has ridiculous range and his quick first step could easily get him to the ring against international teams. If he kicks out to a teammate at the 3-point line, they will be so wide open that it would be outrageous if they miss it. That’s how we envision Young’s effect on offense.
The 22-year-old averaged 25.3 points and 9.4 assists per game in the 2020-21 season. If not for the ankle injury, we could be watching the Hawks in the NBA Finals instead of the Bucks. And that’s mainly due to Young’s play. Additionally, Young just played recently and would be in better shape than most players, something that Team USA would appreciate.
