The Olympic Games in 2028 might feel like a distant event, but conversations around who will lead Team USA are already underway. On a recent episode of The Lowe Post, Zach Lowe and Bill Simmons both predicted that Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards will not only return to the roster but step into a central role. Alongside Tyrese Haliburton, Edwards was one of just two players both analysts agreed would remain fixtures in 2028.
The reasoning is simple. The 2024 Olympics in Paris likely marked the final bow for legends like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry. Veterans such as Derrick White and Jrue Holiday probably will not be back, and Joel Embiid’s health makes his future uncertain. Anthony Davis could still feature, but at 35 years old, the odds are slimmer. That leaves a core of Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, Haliburton, and Edwards. Out of that group, Edwards looks like the one lock, thanks to his unique blend of skill, drive, and ambition.
Edwards will be 27 by the time Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Games. Those years are typically a player’s true prime, and all signs point to him stepping into the role of leader and centerpiece for Team USA. Simmons even went so far as to call him the face of USA Basketball during his discussion with Lowe. Considering Edwards’ trajectory, it is not outlandish to imagine him being one of the three best players in the world by then.
His ascension was not always this certain. In 2020, there was little expectation that Edwards would crack an Olympic roster at all. By 2024, his rapid rise to stardom left no doubt. He thrived in Paris, scoring 12.8 points per game while shooting an impressive 58 percent from the field and 48 percent from three. That scoring mark ranked fourth on the team, behind only Curry, James, and Durant.
What makes Edwards so valuable is the completeness of his game. He is a three-level scorer, blending explosive athleticism with perimeter shooting that makes him dangerous in any setting. On the defensive end, his intensity and willingness to battle make him just as valuable. Confidence fuels his approach, and his fearlessness in big moments has already made him a reliable go-to player on the international stage.
The 2028 Games will be particularly special as Team USA competes on home soil in Los Angeles. Yet the competition may be tougher than ever. France, led by a 24-year-old Victor Wembanyama, looks formidable after finishing as runner-up in 2024. Serbia, with Nikola Jokić at 34, will still be a major threat. Canada, powered by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has the depth to contend, and Germany has proven capable of upsetting anyone.
Team USA will, as always, carry the burden of expectation. The world will be chasing them, but with Anthony Edwards at the helm, the Americans appear to have the perfect leader to capture a sixth consecutive gold medal and usher in the next era of dominance.
