"I’m still the number one option": Anthony Edwards makes bold assertion on his Team USA Olympics role

In a star-studded Team USA roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Anthony Edwards believes he is the No. 1 option of the team despite playing with the likes of all-time greats such as LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant.

Speaking before reporters on Sunday, the ever-confident Minnesota Timberwolves star asserted his role on the team.

When asked how he could mesh with a lineup of such high-caliber players, Anthony Edwards responded confidently, saying:

"I'm still the number one option. Y'all might look at it differently" (per Ben Golliver)

“I just go out there and be myself. Shoot my shots, play defense. They've got to fit in to play around me. That's how I feel."

NBA insider Shams Charania earlier reported that Anthony Edwards aims to start for Team USA in the Paris Olympics.

"I'm told Anthony Edwards fully wants to go and compete to start on this team," Charania said.

Edwards will need to prove himself to earn a starting spot among a star-studded lineup that includes James, Curry, Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, Bam Adebayo, Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker.

In the 2023-24 season, Edwards averaged 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 79 games, earning his second All-Star selection.

His performance elevated in the playoffs, where he averaged 27.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists, though his Timberwolves were ultimately defeated by the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals.

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Will Anthony Edwards start for Team USA? Steve Kerr still unsure

Steve Kerr has the task of figuring out who starts for Team USA, and while he has yet to finalize his rotations, he said he aims to find effective combinations that work well at both ends of the court.

“It’s a good problem to have,” Kerr said (per AP). “I’m guessing that all 12 players on this roster will be in the Hall of Fame someday. So, how do you pick five out of 12? The idea is, you find combinations that click, and you find two-way lineups that can be effective at both ends.”

“Our big job in Las Vegas is to find five-man combinations that fit and to just ask all 12 guys to fully commit to the goal of winning a gold medal no matter what it looks like, no matter who’s playing.”

The team's first exhibition game will be against Canada in Las Vegas, followed by games in Abu Dhabi against Australia and Serbia, and in London against South Sudan and Germany.

Team USA will begin its quest for a gold medal on July 28 against Nikola Jokic and Serbia.

Team USA has won four straight Olympic gold medals. However, it is coming off a disappointing fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.