Team USA gearing up for impact of epic summer of free agency

It is the other uncertainty in the upcoming massive free-agent uncertainty. The other guessing game in attaching GPS devices to the futures of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer, David Lee, Rudy Gay and maybe Amar'e Stoudemire. And it's a major consideration regarding Team USA and the world championships.

The desires of USA Basketball and the realities of the NBA universe are heading for a clash. As the national governing body for international hoops tries to get its All-Star team court time to prepare for the tournament in Turkey, many of the biggest names may skip a July training camp rather than risk injury while free agents.

There is the obvious disclaimer: It won't matter. Anyone who stays on the sidelines in Las Vegas will only miss five to seven days. A couple dozen other players will be participating and another set of practices and exhibition games will follow later in the summer. Plus, most of the players who could sit out have the continuity of being on the 2008 Olympic team that won gold in Beijing, and just maybe coach Mike Krzyzewski and managing director Jerry Colangelo have a decent idea that James, Wade and the others can play. This is not a crisis moment. The United States is experienced in the international game and will be favored to win the world title for the first time since 1994.

But it is a moment. With the four-city, 16-day stint in Turkey looming, Team USA officials need to see who fits together before making cuts -- all while the unfortunate timing of the free-agent extravaganza happens, too.

"I've said to them they have to be there, but they won't play," Colangelo said. "If they're unsigned, I don't expect them to play. But they have to be part of the whole thing. That's part of the deal."

Meaning the free agents must attend the Las Vegas sessions, if only to bond and participate in meetings while watching the workouts.

"I have to put business first, and I think Jerry and all those guys, they understand that," Bosh said, confirming he won't practice if he is unsigned. "They definitely understand that this is a business and things like that do come first and that you can't risk injury.

"That's my father's favorite saying. He wouldn't let me do it either. 'You can't risk injury.' "

It's all about timing. Free agency starts July 1. While the schedule for Las Vegas has not been finalized, the mini-camp will be in mid-to-late July. Maybe stars will have signed by then ... maybe not.

Team USA will reconvene in early-August, probably in New York as they work their way eastward, practicing together. They'll play at least once at Madison Square Garden and will travel to Springfield, Mass., for induction ceremonies at the Hall of Fame in what organizers see as a dual celebration. Most major free-agent business should be settled by then.

Rosters for the world championships do not have to be submitted until Aug. 26, two days before the tournament starts. It would be a surprise if any big name did not have a home that late in the summer.

"I don't have any real problems," Colangelo said, understandably downplaying concerns. "I love the guys. They're a part of this because they enjoy it. We treat them appropriately. We'll just deal with whatever comes."

Among the potential free agents, Stoudemire, who has yet to announce whether he will opt out, and Gay and Lee will likely be impacted most by any missed time. The others have the advantage of being on the 2008 squad.

Kobe Bryant is also a potential free agent, depending on whether he exercises an option, but he won't actually be on the market. With no interest in leaving the Lakers, the only reason Bryant voids the final season of the current deal is to re-sign with a longer contract. His could be a seamless transition.

Scott Howard-Cooper has covered the NBA since 1988. You can e-mail him here.

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