James, Durant top U.S. team player pool

LeBron James and Kevin Durant headline the 28-man Team USA player pool announced by chairman Jerry Colangelo.

James and Durant, Olympic gold medalists at the London games in 2012, return to the Team USA pool for 2014-16.

Additional Team USA veterans on the 28-man list are New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, Knicks center Tyson Chandler, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, Houston Rockets guard James Harden, Rockets center Dwight Howard, Warriors swingman Andre Iguodala, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook and Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams.

–The Boston Celtics have had talks with point guard Rajon Rondo about a contract extension, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said Thursday.

However, Ainge said the restrictive nature of the collective bargaining agreement makes it more likely that talks will escalate after this season,

Next season will be Rondo’s last from his five-year, $55 million extension that he signed in October of 2009.

–The Phoenix Suns sent guard Archie Goodwin to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Developmental League on Thursday.

The 6-foot-5 Goodwin has played in 36 games for the Suns this season and is averaging 3.0 points and 1.7 rebounds.

–The New Orleans Pelicans waived guard Tyshawn Taylor on Thursday, less than a week after acquiring him from the Brooklyn Nets.

Taylor, a second-round pick by the Nets in the 2012 NBA Draft, holds career averages of 2.9 points, 0.9 assists and 0.4 steals in 61 career games.