Predicting Team USA's final roster

Iguodala, Harden, Gordon and Gay will battle for spots

Updated: July 5, 2012, 11:29 PM ET

By Ric Bucher | ESPN the Magazine

James Harden or Eric Gordon? Andre Iguodala or Rudy Gay? Blake Griffin or Anthony Davis?

Those questions are proof that Team USA executive director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski have some work to do in selecting their 12-man roster for the London Olympics this summer, but the task is nowhere near as difficult as it appeared to be several months -- or even weeks -- ago.

When a 12-man squad without LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams won the 2010 world championships, it became pretty apparent that Colangelo and Krzyzewski faced a contortionist act that even the Rubber Boy might find challenging. Losing one-third of the 2010 squad to injury helped, but as the Miami Heat hoisted the 2012 championship trophy, there were still 18 worthy candidates who had to be reduced to a roster of 12.

But now that Lamar Odom has withdrawn to prepare for his second life as a Clipper and Bosh and Wade have bailed to take care of lingering injuries, only three cuts have to be made.

To read more of who Ric Bucher thinks should get the final Team USA roster spots, become an Insider today.