Nets’ James Harden exits Game 1 vs. Bucks with hamstring injury

The purpose for Team USA is to win Olympic Gold. A secondary outcome from whenever players get together to play for the United States is planting the seeds for future partnerships. Countless NBA duos and trios have been formed out of players having fun as teammates for Team USA and seeking to carry that back to their day jobs.

This summer, an inseparable duo has been Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns and Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Edwards has been following Durant around like a big brother while in France. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps shared that it was the same in Olympics training camp in Las Vegas early in July.

There are no indications that any sort of NBA team-up is in the future for the Wolves star and the Suns star. Both players are on multi-year contracts, and both Minnesota and Phoenix are second-apron teams who are restricted in what moves they can make. There’s also a nearly 13-year age gap between the All-Stars.

Edwards has been outspoken of his admiration for Durant. The two were famously spotted talking trash to each other as the Timberwolves dispatched the Suns during the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.