There are many ramifications of Team USA’s return to the top of the international basketball world this summer. They brought the national program absolution from the debacle in Athens. The way they played together as a group, not a collection of stars, granted fulfillment to lovers of the team game everywhere. The dominance they displayed in Beijing was the reclamation of the game for the country that gave it to the world. As their team byname ventured they might, they were redeemed.

So, now what?

Global competition for the crown of world’s best basketball nation will still be fierce. Spain, Argentina, and Lithuanian will only continue to improve as their youth development thrives following their excellent showings in Beijing. Other teams such as China, France, and Brazil are not far behind. The Americans will be the favorite at any international tournament for the foreseeable future, but no team US Basketball can call together will be a guaranteed lock.

To use Beijing as a springboard towards future triumphs and not a singular rally, the program will have to change and grow. The Redeem Team dominated, but it clearly had weaknesses and imperfections (i.e. outside shooting, half-court offensive execution). Their gold medal finish brought much rejoicing, but it also raises a number of questions regarding the future of the program.

Now that they have brought redemption to the very idea of United States Basketball, how many players will return? Which household names will remain part of the program, especially given the time commitment required in the coming summers? Which rising stars will break onto the roster and become leaders? Are there current fixtures on their way out?

First and foremost, let us identify those members of Team USA 2008 that will not be back in 2010 for the World Championships in Turkey or the 2012 London Olympics. The most obvious withdrawal will be Jason Kidd, who is already 35 and looked lead-footed throughout the Olympics. A strong case could be made that Kidd was the worst player in the USA’s primary rotation and his advanced years make me a lock to not return.

Three other members of the US team are highly unlikely to return: Carlos Boozer, Michael Redd, and Tayshaun Prince. Boozer is nearly 27 and given his participation in Athens in 2004 (to make no mention of the pipeline of young, talented US big men) he will not return. In all likelihood Prince is also out, given how little he contributed this summer and his lack of a position in FIBA-style gameplay. While Redd’s long-range shooting mastery is nearly unmatched, he contributes little else and was constantly one of the last player off Mike Krzyzewski’s bench.

Given that these four are highly unlikely to return, we can turn our focus to three pillars of the Redeem Team whose return is itself doubtful: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade.

It is understandable why Bryant and Wade might not be able to make a four-year commitment to the team. By the time the next Olympics roll around, Kobe will turning 34 and have 16 years of NBA mileage on his body. Given that he has already had multiple knee and shoulder surgeries, as well his upcoming finger operation, it is probable that he will need the rest during the summer to recharge for the coming NBA season.

Wade has durability questions as well since his career has been marked by serious injuries and setbacks as a result of his reckless, all-out style of play. Wade will be 30 at the London Olympics, and there is no telling how his health will hold up over the next several years.

For James, the matter in question regarding his return is not one of health, but of importance. After his involvement with the US teams that failed in 2004 and 2006, he earned the moniker of “LeBronze” and was heavily ridiculed for failing to elevate his play. Now that he has expelled those demons and silenced his critics, James has little left to prove by continuing to play internationally. International titles are unlikely to hold the same allure for him now that he has won. The only aspect of international competition that may still appeal to him actually concerns marketing and his many business ventures: he will only come back if it grows the “global brand of LeBron.”

While the team may lose the services of those three superstars, all is not lost. In fact, the majority of the core rotation of the 2008 team is likely to return: it can be relatively sure that it will retain the talents of Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, and Dwight Howard, respectively.

Anthony has gone on record many times that he prefers the FIBA game to that of the NBA and his outstanding individual play in international competition throughout his career suggests why. His age, health, and international success make Carmelo an easy choice as captain of future teams.

Williams and Paul did an admirable job in Beijing of giving up their minutes to Kidd, but they are already the best two point guards in the world so the need for their inclusion on future teams is undisputable.

With regards to the big men, Bosh was one of the team’s best player throughout the Olympics and his role on the team will only continue to grow as he gains experience, whereas Howard is likely to develop into the best post player alive once he gains new offensive weapons.

There are a number of probable newcomers that will also give Team USA a shot in the arm with their athleticism, speed, and youthful enthusiasm. The list of future American standouts has to begin with Kevin Durant, who is long, athletic, versatile, and hyper-competitive. By 2012, this year’s Rookie of the Year will be one of the ten best players in basketball. Should James not partake in future competitions, the team will still be able to count on Durant to provide dynamic scoring and playmaking.

Another obvious addition is Brandon Roy, who would fill a void left by Wade and compliment Williams or Paul perfectly with his powerful frame and multi-faceted game that lets him control the offense with or without the ball in his hands.

To replace Redd, the US will need a solid outside shooter. Shane Battier seems to fit this void perfectly given his ability to hit open threes and his unselfishness. Throw in the fact that he is one of the best wing defenders in the game and you have a player tailor-made for contributing off the bench for Team USA.

Adding Durant, Roy and Battier still leaves the program with potentially as many as three or four more openings. It is harder to speculate how these spots might be filled given that their selection depends on which positions are left bare. That said, there are several young players that have shown that they potentially belong in the conversation for future roster spots.

In the post, the super-talented Greg Oden looks like he has the talent to be a permanent fixture on the main team, but he must prove his body will hold up and avoid future injuries. Tyson Chandler has springs to mind as a potential replacement for a departing post like Boozer. He is one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA and was already an alternate for the team this summer. Additionally, there is the potential that Kevin Love might develop quickly and prove himself worthy of consideration given his FIBA-ready passing ability and floor sense.

In regards to wing player, there are a number of young talents that potentially could contribute in the years ahead. Derrick Rose’s heady point guard play and considerable athleticism paints him in the mold of Wade or Paul and makes him likely for consideration. O.J. Mayo might serve as a successor to Bryant in terms of offensive talents and gamesmanship. Other potential guards and swingman to consider depending on team needs include Rudy Gay, Mike Miler and Jerryd Bayless.

Just as important as knowing who will be heading to Turkey and London for the US is realizing who will not. There is zero chance that Gilbert Arenas will subject his knee to the extra mileage of playing all summer. Besides, he is unlikely to forgive not being names to the team two years ago also.

We are equally unlikely to see the likes of Chauncey Billups, Elton Brand, Antawn Jamison, or Paul Pierce involved with future teams given their advanced ages and other interests. There are others, including Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson, who may still be able to play at this highest of level in a few years time, but their interest seem to lie elsewhere and they are the most likely candidates to be passed over in the name of younger players hungrier to make their reputations.

In conclusion, the overwhelming succession of the Redeem Team might have many fans prepared to renew the kind of prideful hubris about US basketball dominance that they had back in 2000. But the last eight years have shown us that the game’s international landscape has changed.

The best and brightest America has to offer is still substantially better than any other country in the world…but for how long? It would seem it is only a matter of time before even America’s best players will not be enough to carry them past elite international opponents. Whether that day comes soon or not might depend heavily on how the US roster looks going forward from this inspiring return to glory.

Either way, fans and players the world over will be watching for what comes next.

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