Team USA Roster Cut to 16; Wall, Beal & Millsap Released From FIBA World Cup 2014 Contention

After the horrific injury suffered by Paul George, three more players were announced to be leaving the USA team, leaving only a roster of 16 men to try and get positions in the final 12-man group that will play at the 2014 World Cup games in Spain.

In a report by ESPN, Bradley Beal, John Wall and Paul Millsap were released from the roster. Coach Mike Kryzewski and chairman Jerry Colangelo will be present at a teleconference on August 5, 2014 to officially make the roster changes.

Paul George was expected to be on the final list before his leg injury. The other five players who are most expected to land a spot in Team USA include Kevin Durant of the OKC Thunder, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans, James Harden of the Houston Rockets, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.

There are 11 other players who are still vying for the last seven places. They are Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Korver, Chandler Parsons, Gordon Hayward, Kenneth Faried, DeMarcus Cousins, Mason Plumlee and Andre Drummond.

Fans earlier thought that more players from the training camp would be withdrawing for fear that they may suffer injuries similar to what George experienced. However, many of them have decided to stay as they try to get a place in the 12-man team to show their support for George.

In a blog post on NBA.com, one-fourth of the remaining players in the roster are point guards namely Irving, Curry, Rose and Lillard. Curry and Rose are the favorites to make the team. Millsap volunteered after Kevin Love and Blake Griffin withdrew from the list. With only a few "small players" left in the roster, Kevin Durant may take on the role of power forward. A decision will most likely be made between Hayward and DeRozan. Mason Plumlee and DeMarcus Cousins will battle for the position of center.

Team USA might opt for a very offensive first five which includes Harden, Curry, Durant, Rose and Davis. The loss of George will put a stress on their defense. Klay Thompson is a reliable player to start if Coach Krzyzewski plans to defend more.

According to Pro Basketball Talk, Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, stated that George's injury should not pose a threat to other NBA stars. He said, "I don't anticipate a major shift in the NBA's participation in international competitions." A source also said, "No one is pulling out." Colangelo added, "No one on this team wants to walk away, because that would seem unfair to Paul. If there is any fallout from this injury, it may not be felt until the next time invites go out."