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Tyson Chandler no longer has a role with the Charlotte Bobcats, but he could be the starting center this summer for Team USA.
And Charlottean Stephen Curry could also have a big role, as the national team's top zone-buster.
Chandler, now with the Dallas Mavericks, and Curry, a Golden State Warriors guard, both made the first cut announced Wednesday. But Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace was one of four players trimmed from the group.
A final group of 12 will compete in the World Championships in Turkey in late August and early September.
Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, again serving as men's national team coach, envisions big roles for Chandler and Curry, based on his comments during a media conference call.
Chandler could end up the only true center on the squad, after injuries and insurance complications eliminated David Lee and Amare Stoudemire. New Jersey Net Brook Lopez is the only other true big man left, and he's recovering from a case of mononucleosis.
"He has a very important role with the team right now because he is a shot-blocker," Krzyzewski said of Chandler. "He doesn't need the ball a lot and is a great teammate. He can ball-screen well, and does the things necessary to complement the outstanding perimeter players we have.
"He has the chance to be a very important player for us."
Krzyzewski said Chandler initially looked rusty during tryouts in Las Vegas, but improved dramatically the last few days of the camp.
The Bobcats traded Chandler recently, looking to create payroll flexibility. They acquired the unguaranteed $13 million salary for center Erick Dampier, who they might cut to stay below the NBA's luxury-tax threshold.
Curry, who grew up in Charlotte and starred for Davidson, is the best long-range shooter on the squad, Krzyzewski said. That could be particularly useful against the zone defenses international teams typically employ. But Krzyzewski said Curry is more than a specialist.
"I thought his on-ball defense was very good, and just his knowledge of the game. He's an outstanding passer and stretches the defense," Krzyzewski said of Curry. "We have outstanding guards, and Stephen is certainly one of them, whether it's against zone or man (defenses)."
Curry finished second to Sacramento's Tyreke Evans for NBA rookie of the year last season. His younger brother, Seth, will play for Krzyzewski at Duke next season, after transferring from Liberty.
Krzyzewski said repeatedly during a half-hour conference call that this group will have to overcome a lack of height. That's why Lopez made the first cut, despite his bout with mono. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Lopez has to show significant improvement when Team USA reassembles in New York next month for a week of practice and an exhibition against France.
Bobcats forward Boris Diaw is expected to play for France in that exhibition, on Aug. 15 at Madison Square Garden.
Wallace seemed to be caught up in a numbers game. The roster was deep in wing players similar to him, with Kevin Durant, Danny Granger, Rudy Gay and Andre Iguodala all making the cut. Also, Wallace played poorly in an intrasquad scrimmage, with no rebounds or steals in 12 minutes and four missed 3-pointers.
"It's not a matter of who's better,'' Krzyzewski said of the cuts, which also included Evans, O.J. Mayo and JaVale McGee. "We need a little more time to fit these guys into a system."
Team USA will have five days of practice in New York before the exhibition against France, then travel to Europe for exhibitions against Lithuania, Spain and Greece.
Krzyzewski has until just before the start of the World Championships to trim the final roster to 12.
