Does Durant exit open spot for Faried on Team USA?

Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team Blue forward Kenneth Faried (33) dunks the ball during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

With Kevin Durant’s announcement that he would not be playing for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup at the end of August, it got me thinking.  Will this open the door for the Nuggets Kenneth Faried to make the team in place of Durant?According to most reports and interviews I have heard with Team USA Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Durant was ticketed for playing a hybrid Power Forward on the team during the World Cup.  With that possibility now out the door, will this force Coach K’s hand and have him keep Faried on the team so he has some size either in the starting lineup or coming off the bench?  With Blake Griffin and Kevin Love already sitting on the sidelines for this International competition I think Faried would be a great fit to add a rebounding presence and an ability to score in transition.  He won’t come close to averaging the 33 points per game that Durant averaged in the last 4 games of the Olympic Tourney in 2012 but he can add his energy and great attitude to a still very talented USA team.

Hey Nuggets fans…….How cool would it be to have our very own “Energizer Bunny” playing for the USA in the FIBA World Cup Tournament starting on August 31st?