Mavericks guard Michael Finley will be on the short list of candidates to replace Kobe Bryant on the U.S. Olympic team this summer if the Los Angeles Lakers' star cannot participate because of pending shoulder surgery.

A USA Basketball spokesman said Friday that Finley would be a logical replacement, given his play on last year's World Championship team. But Craig Miller, assistant executive director for public relations, added that several issues have to be resolved before a replacement could be named.

First, the selection committee for the Olympic team is waiting on a second opinion on Bryant's shoulder, Miller said. Second, decisions must be made whether the replacement will be given an automatic spot on the 2004 Olympic team or be a stopgap for the team that must qualify in the Tournament of the Americas in August at San Juan, Puerto Rico. Bryant will be on the Olympic team even if he cannot play this summer in the qualifying tournament.