Miami Heat star LeBron James' playing days for the USA Men's Basketball team appear finished. The four-time NBA MVP won't play in next year's basketball World Cup and is doubtful for the 2016 Olympics, Yahoo! Sports reports. With James likely stepping down, Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant will become the face of Team USA.
James won't play in the 2014 world championships in Spain, and he's doubtful for the 2016 Olympics, a source close to James told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday.
"LeBron is going to be three years older during the next Olympics. He will have two older boys. He has a lot to endure with his family," the source said. "He played in three Olympics. Everyone that knows LeBron knows it's always based on a decision at that moment. But if the moment was today, the answer would be no."
James, 28, has already won two Olympic gold medals and one bronze medal in his three Olympic appearances. As James gets older, the amount of minutes and number of games he plays would seemingly take a toll on his body. The All-Star would benefit from the extra rest in the summer, which could keep him healthy and prolong his career.
"The only way I could see him playing in the Olympics is if his country really, really needed him to play," the source added. "But hasn't he done enough?"
Team USA appears ready to move on without James. USA Basketball executive director Jerry Colangelo announced Durant on Wednesday as "kind of the face of USA Basketball going forward," according to Yahoo! Sports.
Durant played on the 2012 Olympic team, which he led in scoring en route to the gold medal win.
As for James, Colangelo hasn't completely ruled him out for 2016.
"I don't think he will (be) ever too old," Colangelo said. "He can be 40 and still be able to play. Think of what he might be able to accomplish in terms of legacy with one more medal.
"We'll cross that bridge later."
