Report: Mason Plumlee Might Make Team USA Over DeMarcus Cousins

As the final Team USA roster continues to fill out, we’ll be hearing more about potential cuts. Jerry Colangelo said USA Basketball plans to keep 15 players through August 22, when the team begins domestic and international exhibition rounds. Still, the final roster is said to be comprised of just 12 players, and Brian Windhorst reports that Mason Plumlee is “likely” to earn a spot over DeMarcus Cousins.

Plumlee has been playing with the USA select team in Las Vegas with other younger players competing for a roster spot. The Brooklyn Nets forward finished his rookie season averaging 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Cousins, on the other hand, had a break out season for the Sacramento Kings with career-highs of 22.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. Cousins is competing for a front court roster spot with Anthony Davis (Pelicans), Kenneth Faried (Nuggets), Andre Drummond (Pistons), and Paul Millsap (Hawks). The front line for Team USA isn’t exactly prolific, especially after LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin, and Kevin Love dropped out. Although, Chris Haynes of Comcast Sports reported that Love could still be added to the roster if an imminent trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers is completed before FIBA World Cup play begins on August 30.

The Plumlee-instead-of-Cousins report from Windhorst strikes me as more of a chemistry issue. Cousins is undoubtedly the more skilled, talented player, but it all depends on the cohesion that head coach Mike Krzyzewski sees from his group. Plumlee is still a horse of an athlete with a motor to run the floor, defend, rebound, set screens, and play hard.

Plumlee played for Krzyzewski at Duke University from 2009-2013.