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Does Jimmy Butler Have A Realistic Chance to Make Team USA in 2016?

By Michael Whitlow

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Along with having a career year that led to a huge new paycheck, Jimmy Butler’s big summer continues with an invite to Team USA’s training camp in August. Could the fourth-year wing actually make America’s 12-man roster for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil?

On Tuesday, ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein mentioned that six players around the NBA were invited to the Team USA camp on August 11-13, and one of the players he named was Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler.

There won’t be a huge amount of intrigue, being that there’s no international competition for Team USA to compete in this year, but it’s a good sign for Butler that he’s receiving recognition for becoming one of the game’s brightest stars.

The core of Team USA — guys like LeBron James, Chris Paul and the returning Kevin Durant — will be automatic selections for Mike Krzyzewski when the 2016 Olympic Games roll around next summer, but a guy like Butler is certainly an intriguing possibility.

Sure, the lack of roster spots hurts a lesser-known name like Butler, but there’s not many in the NBA that guard the ball like Butler can. His defense and versatility could be something for Coach K to glance at during the upcoming camp in Las Vegas next month.

“I think it’s important for those who want to continue with us and be under consideration for ’16 to be with us in Las Vegas for a couple days. It’s going to be low key. Light workouts, no contact and then play an all-star game. No concern about competitiveness. We’re not evaluating anyone,” USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said on August’s camp.

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Once again, there’s not too much intrigue heading into August’s camp, but the fact that Butler is joining some of the best players in the world is a good sign for him heading into arguably the most important year of his career. He just signed a lucrative new deal to remain in Chicago, and will take on a much bigger role moving forward for the Bulls heading into the 2015-16 season.

Who knows? Maybe injuries like Kevin Love‘s shoulder or Kyrie Irving‘s leg issues pop up here and there throughout this upcoming season and Butler ends up in a prime position to nab one of the 12 roster spots for next summer’s Olympics.

Educated guess (at the moment): Butler will be eliminated from the fray rather quickly. There’s so much talent at each position for USA Basketball executives to choose from, that a guy like Butler has an outside shot (at best) to make the roster.

Just look at the 2012 roster from Team USA in London:

  • Tyson Chandler
  • Kevin Durant
  • LeBron James
  • Russell Westbrook
  • Deron Williams
  • Andre Iguodala
  • Kobe Bryant
  • Kevin Love
  • James Harden
  • Chris Paul
  • Anthony Davis
  • Carmelo Anthony

Personally, there’s at least seven guys on that list that will be on next year’s roster. Oh yeah, and this roster doesn’t include guys like reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry and new Spurs forward (and former Bulls draft pick) LaMarcus Aldridge.

It’s going to be tough for Butler to crack the 2016 roster for Team USA, but with another stellar season this year, and with a few breaks here and there, he has a chance. Not a big one, but a chance.

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