It’s rare for a player to commit to Team USA when they’re a free agent. At such a pivotal point in their pro career, they often don’t want to risk injury before signing a new contract.
International players don’t really have that luxury. The talent pools of their teams aren’t as deep, so if an NBA player opts out, the drop-off is significant.
This season presented an even bigger challenge because the timing of the Olympics directly coincided with the start of free agency. Players like Evan Fournier, Patty Mills, Gabe Vincent, and Isaac Bonga all suited up for their international teams with their contract statuses in flux.