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.

Jrue Holiday is expected to be on Team USA's 12-man roster for the 2024 Olympics, sources tell Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

USA Basketball has been pursuing Holiday for much of the NBA season and it is believed he recently gave his commitment.

Holiday was considered the second-most critical player on the 2021 team that won gold at the Tokyo Olympics. 

Holiday would join several superstar players who are considered locks for the Paris Games, barring injury, including Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum.

Jayson Tatum knows that every player isn't evaluated the same. Tatum also realizes a big part of his evaluation relies on leading the Boston Celtics to a championship.

"I understand that, no matter what I do in the regular season, I’m at that point where people just judge me off whether I can win a championship," Tatum said. "I realize that, and it’s like, all right, I just gotta do it."

The Celtics star said that drive to win a title has changed how he approaches games. Tatum is now willing to let the game come to him now, while his teammates get things going early.

"Earlier, I was playing the game just to play the game instead of just thinking it," Tatum said. "Now, I go out there, and I understand who we’re playing against. I know their scheme, what they’re trying to do, which guys are in or out the lineup.

"Learning from experience, I understand that I’m good enough that I can relax and defer a little bit," he added. "Then, the fourth quarter comes, and I know I can score 20 in the quarter."

The Boston Celtics have agreed to trade Dalano Banton to the Portland Trail Blazers for a heavily protected second round pick.

Banton has appeared in 24 games with the Boston Celtics this season. 

Banton is represented by Aaron Turner.

The Boston Celtics have agreed to acquire Jaden Springer from the Boston Celtics for a second round pick.

Springer is averaging 4.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.8 minutes over 32 games this season for the Sixers. 

Springer is signed through the 24-25 season.

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. 

The Boston Celtics have agreed to acquire Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies for two second round picks.

The Celtics had been seeking depth in the frontcourt. 

Boston will send a 2027 second rounder via the Atlanta Hawks and a 2030 second via the Dallas Mavericks. 

The Chicago Bulls have received trade interest on Andre Drummond from the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks.

Drummond is widely considered the member of the Bulls most likely to be traded.

The Sixers have a clear need at center with Joel Embiid out for an extended period. Drummond previously played for the Sixers. 

The Boston Celtics are looking to upgrade their depth. Boston is working with limited resources, as their bigger salaries belong to key rotation players. That has the Celtics looking at more affordable options.

Two players who have emerged as targets for the Celtics are Otto Porter Jr. of the Toronto Raptors and Lonnie Walker IV of the Brooklyn Nets.

Porter has played in limited games for the Raptors over the last two seasons due to injuries. However, he was a big part of the Golden State Warriors defeating the Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals. Porter would give Boston some forward depth.

Walker has played well in a reserve role for the Nets. He'd give the Celtics a bigger guard option off the bench.

Both Porter and Walker are set to be unrestricted free agents following this season.

Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio has become a serious trade target for the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns. Both teams are looking for affordable upgrades to their rotation ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

Fontecchio's second NBA season has gone far better than his first. The 6-foot-8 forward has become Utah's starting small forward. Fontecchio has averaged 8.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game. The Italian national team member has shot 45% from the floor, including 39.1% on 4.7 three-point attempts per game.

Fontecchio has a very acquirable salary of just over $3 million for this season. The 28-year-old is then eligible for restricted free agency this coming offseason.