Team USA has ramped up the selection process for this summer's Olympics in Paris. There are 11 players that the United States are counting on playing or are in strong consideration for a roster spot. The initial 11 are:

• Bam Adebayo - Miami Heat
• Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
• Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors
• Anthony Davis - Los Angeles Lakers
• Kevin Durant - Phoenix Suns
• Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
• Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers
• Tyrese Haliburton - Indiana Pacers
• Jrue Holiday - Boston Celtics
• LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers
• Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics

None of these players are considered absolute locks as of yet. But all 11 are under strong consideration and have mentioned interest in representing Team USA this summer, provided they are healthy enough to play.

Of that group, Booker, Curry, Durant, Embiid, Holiday, James and Tatum are considered to be the United States core group. Edwards and Haliburton are being considered after strong play at last summer's FIBA World Cup. Adebayo and Davis are garnering interest for additional frontcourt depth around Embiid.

Jimmy Butler and Naji Marshall have each been suspended one game without pay for instigating and engaging in an on-court altercation during the Heat’s 106-95 victory over the Pelicans on Feb. 23 at Smoothie King Center, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.  

Additionally, Thomas Bryant and Jose Alvarado have each been suspended three games without pay for leaving the bench area during an on-court altercation and fighting.  

Nikola Jovic has been suspended one game without pay for leaving the bench area and entering an on-court altercation. 

The incident began when Kevin Love committed a foul on New Orleans’ Zion Williamson with 11:19 remaining in the fourth quarter.  Following that foul, Butler and Marshall engaged in a physical altercation and then Alvarado and Bryant began fighting. For their roles, Alvarado, Bryant, Butler and Marshall were assessed technical fouls and ejected from the game.

Alvarado will begin serving his suspension tonight when New Orleans hosts the Chicago Bulls. Marshall will also serve his suspension tonight. Bryant will begin serving his suspension on Monday, Feb. 26 when the Heat visit the Sacramento Kings. Butler and Jovic will also serve their suspensions that night. 

Delon Wright has agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards and plans to sign with the Miami Heat upon clearing waivers.

In 33 games this season, Wright is averaging 4.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 13.8 minutes.

Wright is represented by Greg Lawrence. 

Jimmy Butler will miss the next two Miami Heat games after being granted a leave of absence from the team over the weekend. 

The Heat will be without Josh Richardson for multiple weeks due to a dislocated right shoulder, with Terry Rozier set to be re-evaluated on a week-to-week basis with a sprained right knee.  

Duncan Robinson is also listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks. 

Terry Rozier avoided a major injury and was diagnosed with a sprained right knee, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Rozier will be re-evaluated on a week-to-week basis.

Josh Richardson will miss several weeks with a dislocated shoulder. 

Josh Richardson will be out at least a few weeks with a dislocated right shoulder. 

Richardson is averaging 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 25.6 minutes over 43 games this season with the Miami Heat.

Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson are scheduled to get MRIs on Monday, according to Erik Spoelstra.

Rozier landed awkwardly on his right leg during the third quarter of the Heat's 110-106 loss to the Celtics.

Richardson suffered a right shoulder injury in the second quarter.

The Heat are already without Jimmy Butler, who was granted a leave of absence. 

The Miami Heat released the following statement from Jimmy Butler's agent Bernie Lee:

"Jimmy Butler has been granted a leave of absence as he deals with the death of a family member. Jimmy and his family ask for privacy at this point in time as they navigate this loss. Updates will be given when appropriate."

The Miami Heat signed guard Alondes Williams to a Two-Way Contact and waived RJ Hampton.

Williams, a 2024 G League All-Star and NBA Rising Stars Game selection, has appeared in 32 games with the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, this season and averaged 20.3 points, 6.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 1.25 steals and 37.0 minutes while shooting 49.9 percent from the field, 37.3 percent from three-point range and 73.9 percent from the foul line. He scored a Skyforce franchise-record 55 points on January 7 in a comeback win against the Salt Lake City Stars, shooting 70 percent (21-of-30) from the field, the third-highest shooting efficiency in G League history by a player with at least 55 points. Williams earned G League Player of the Week twice (January 2-7 & January 8-13), becoming the first ever Skyforce player to earn the honor in consecutive weeks. He has posted six double-doubles this season and scored at least 20 points in seven-straight games from January 7 through January 21. Additionally, Williams has scored 361 total points this season, the fourth-most in the G League.

Hampton, who was signed to a Two-Way Contract by the Heat on September 27, appeared in nine total games with the Skyforce this season, including seven regular season contests (one start) averaging 11.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.14 steals and 25.8 minutes. He also appeared in eight games (two starts) with the HEAT, averaging 1.3 points and 1.0 assists in 9.5 minutes of action.

The NBA has announced the 2024 Slam Dunk participants headlined by Jaylen Brown and last year's winner Mac McClung.

Joining Brown and McClung are Jaime Jacquez Jr. and Jacob Toppin.