Jayson Tatum has been the odd man out of the United States' rotation at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Head coach Steve Kerr tinkers with the lineups every game and the star forward has filled a variety of roles from starter to key reserve to not playing at all in two different contests.
Coming off a gold medal with Team USA at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, an NBA title with the Celtics and three consecutive All-NBA First Team nods, Kerr's decision to omit Tatum from the rotation has been questionable, to say the least.
The 26-year-old was viewed as a cornerstone of the USA Basketball program after he averaged 15.2 points per game in Tokyo — the second-most on the team. He was one of just five returning players from that roster and was expected to be a featured player for the United States for years to come.
Will Kerr's handling of the situation put Tatum's status in jeopardy for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
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Will Jayson Tatum play for USA in the next Olympics?
Tatum has not spoken out on his intentions beyond this Olympics. He did talk about how difficult his role has been on this team, but took the high road and kept the focus on winning games.
"Each game is extremely different, but the main thing is that we win, so whatever we've got to do or I've got to do from game to game to be a part of that and contribute where I can, I'm going to do that," he told The Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach after another "DNP - coach's decision" against Serbia.
Head coach Kerr's reasoning for not playing Tatum has been all over the place.
"I felt like an idiot not playing him," Kerr said after he chose to bench Tatum in Team USA's first Group Stage game against Serbia. "40-minute game, you can't play more than 10. You really can't.
"He's an amazing guy, great player, handled it beautifully and he'll be back out there next game."
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Kerr kept his word and moved Tatum to the starting lineup in the next game, but the same issue popped up again in the semifinals against Serbia. In a game where the United States could have used versatility and athleticism on the wing to get out on shooters and crash the defensive glass, Tatum — who fits that bill — was glued to the bench.
This time, Kerr called it a "math problem."
“It’s not what I’m not seeing from Jayson. It’s what I’ve seen from the other guys,” Kerr told the AP's Tim Reynolds .
"... It’s not about anything Jayson is doing or not doing. It’s just about combinations and the way that group has played together, the way Kevin [Durant] has filled in since he came back from his injury.
"It’s just a math problem more than anything.”
Several NBA players have spoken up since Kerr's latest reasoning made the rounds on social media.
Three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford posted on X , "Yea, no.. I'm not rolling with this."
All-Stars Trae Young and Paul George went back and forth on how they can't fathom Tatum being the odd man out.
"JT can't be one of them [not playing]," George said.
"I don't understand that," Young agreed.
"How is JT the odd man out?" George responded.
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USA Basketball legend Carmelo Anthony expressed frustration in the comments section of Overtime's Instagram page . He wrote "SMH" under a picture of head coach Kerr with the caption, "Maybe we should put Jayson Tatum in the game? Idk."
Tatum will be 30 years old and in his prime by the time the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics come around. He would be one of the more experienced leaders on that team and could have two gold medals to his name.
Tatum has always been a player who appreciates what it means to play for Team USA, so it would be hard to believe he doesn't suit up, regardless of how the 2024 Olympics have played out.
Only time will tell after a rocky first tournament under head coach Kerr.
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