Bradley Beal will not play for Team USA at Tokyo Olympics [UPDATE]

Update, July 15th — Beal will not play for Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, the team officially announced Thursday afternoon.

Team USA is looking to replace Beal on its roster for the Olympics after he was placed in health and safety protocols. F Jerami Grant has also reportedly been placed in protocols along with Beal, though there’s no news on the Pistons forward being replaced yet. According to Grant Afseth, Team USA could replace Beal with Miami Heat G Duncan Robinson.

Team USA basketball will be without another key member indefinitely.

After Jayson Tatum missed the game against Argentina due to a knee injury, Team USA will be without Bradley Beal indefinitely as the guard enters health and safety protocols according to Shams Charania.

Beal is coming off one of the best seasons of his NBA career for the Washington Wizards, where he averaged 31.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. At 28, he’s entering the prime of his career but only has one more year left on his contract.

Beal is expected to be in trade rumors during the offseason while he goes to the Olympics, with the Golden State Warriors, Altanta Hawks and Boston Celtics among the teams having enough assets to make a trade. The Philadelphia 76ers could also get involved if the Wizards like what Ben Simmons brings to the table.

Beal’s status to return is unknown at this point, especially with the Olympics just around the corner. The IOC and Tokyo officials have already said events will take place without fans and earlier COVID outbreaks among Olympic teams may force Beal to sit out of the Games altogether if he doesn’t clear the protocol in time.

If Beal cannot return, Team USA will be losing a key scoring component of their team. Devin Booker, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday are expected to join the group after the NBA Finals conclude, but Beal’s ability as a shooter and scorer will be missed.