U.S. Olympic basketball team announced — minus some NBA superstars

LeBron James won’t be there. Neither will Steph Curry, Chris Paul or James Harden.

But Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson are on the U.S. men’s basketball roster headed to the 2016 Summer Olympics, and that should be good enough to make the Americans a gold-medal favorite.

With a spate of NBA stars withdrawing because of fatigue and injury, USA Basketball announced its official team on Monday.

“We have lightning-quick guards who can score as well as distribute the basketball,” Coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement. “We have great shooters and explosive scorers, we’re big and athletic, and I think we’ll really be able to defend.”

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The squad has nine 2016 NBA all-stars and a veteran -- Carmelo Anthony -- who becomes the first U.S. player selected to four Olympic teams.

The roster also includes DeAndre Jordan, Harrison Barnes, Jimmy Butler, DeMarcus Cousins, DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, Draymond Green and Kyle Lowry.

“I love our depth, which is another indication of the depth of talent our national team program is blessed with,” Jerry Colangelo, the longtime NBA executive who has served as managing director of the national team since 2005, said in a statement. “We’ve got a great mix of talent, scorers, past gold medal winners and outstanding youth.”

The Americans have won medals at all 17 Olympics at which they have competed. Fourteen times, they have taken the gold.

The current team is to begin training in Las Vegas next month and then play several exhibitions, including a game against China at Staples Center on July 24.

david.wharton@latimes.com

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