2012 Olympics: DeMarcus Cousins and Stars Who'd Benefit from London's Spotlight

A condensed regular season that's seen NBA teams play brutal schedules to make up for lost time has taken it's toll on the United States Olympic basketball team. Four players have been lost due to injury, including Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard.

Marc Stein of ESPN reports chairman Jerry Colangelo plans to add one or two finalists to the mix, and the immediate focus is on post players to replace Howard. Players with flexibility are also being targeted.

With that in mind, let's take a look at three young players who didn't make the preliminary roster, but could help Team USA this summer. Each of them would also benefit from getting to play on a major stage like the Olympics.

Anthony Davis

Davis hasn't even played a single NBA game, but he's coming off a remarkable college season. He dominated the paint en route to a national championship with Kentucky and should be the first player off the board in the draft.

He averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds and, perhaps most impressively, five blocks per game for the Wildcats. The United States has Tyson Chandler, so adding Davis would give the team two defensive wizards, which will be necessary in a potential rematch against Spain.

Giving Davis a trip to London will also ease his transition to the NBA. The experience should make playing in a regular-season game seem like no big deal, whereas most rookies enter the league with a lot of new things thrown their way.

DeMarcus Cousins

If Colangelo and head coach Mike Krzyzewski are looking for more of an offensive weapon, Cousins would fit the bill. The Sacramento Kings forward averaged 18 points in just 30 minutes during his second year in the league.

The American squad has two big men that like to stretch the floor in Chris Bosh and Kevin Love. Cousins would provide them with a little more muscle in the paint. He also does a great job on the glass, which is key in the Olympics.

There are still concerns about his attitude, but a successful stint with the Olympic team should help him change that reputation. Playing on a roster with so many superstars would be an ideal learning experience for a young player who's clearly still figuring things out.

Danny Granger

The United States could always decide to utilize a smaller lineup, which could open up a spot for a swingman like Granger. He played on the FIBA World Championship in 2010 and is coming off a solid season with the Indiana Pacers.

When push comes to shove, a team can never have enough scorers. Granger would have no problem providing an instant spark off the bench, especially since he can either attack the basket or knock down an outside shot.

Questions have been raised about Indiana's ability to become a legitimate title contender with Granger leading the way. Getting a chance to play in the Olympics would allow him to understand what it's going to take to lead a team to glory.