Three of their biggest stars are on the comeback trail from serious injury, and two members of the WNBL's All-Star Five have withdrawn.
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But Australian Opals coach Brendan Joyce insists there's no reason to panic, despite a rocky build-up to September's FIBA World Cup.
Centre Lauren Jackson is rehabilitating after knee and Achilles surgery in February.
Fellow marquee star Penny Taylor missed the 2012 Olympics after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament, and complications restricted her to just ten WNBA games for Phoenix Mercury last year.
Guard Erin Phillips' 2013 WNBA season was also heavily disrupted by a knee injury.
The Opals suffered another huge setback this week when WNBL Most Valuable Player Suzy Batkovic withdrew citing a need to rest, while Jenna O'Hea has opted to focus on having a breakout year with LA Sparks.
Taylor, Phillips and gun centre Elizabeth Cambage have been named in a 24-player Opals squad to train at the AIS this week from Sunday.
Jackson will be on hand for rehabilitation and off-court sessions as she recovers from surgery, and Joyce expects her back on court by June.
Taylor shapes as an ideal replacement for O'Hea, and Joyce hopes she avoid further hiccups in her recovery.
"That's key for us and I'm excited to have her, I just hope we can keep her healthy and she can get through,'' Joyce said.
But he said centre Batkovic and forward O'Hea's withdrawals were a setback.
"Suzy pulled out of the worlds in 2010 and 2006, [but] I was hoping with me being a new coach and where she's at with her career, I thought she might play,'' Joyce said.
"She's 33 and feels she'd only make a commitment for an Olympic year, because she needs time off to prolong her career.
"There a lot of logic in that, and Suzy's been upfront about it from the beginning.
"I want all my best players available, but Jenna's stated she wants to make a 100 per cent commitment to the WNBA in what she feels is a big year for her."
Joyce backed the likes of Marianna Tolo and Canberra Capitals MVP Abby Bishop to fill the void left by Batkovic.
He said Jackson would be firing for the tournament in Turkey, despite a number of recent injury lay-offs.
"We've got a Japan tour in July and a Europe tour in August, her preparation will be better than if she was in the WNBA,'' Joyce said.
"We have to take it slowly because she's only just walking, it's going to be a process to get her stronger and quicker.''
Canberra Capitals players Carley Mijovic and Alex Bunton have been named for the camp, but Bishop and Nat Hurst are unavailable due to overseas commitments.
- Australian Opals squad for training camp at AIS, March 23-28: Rebecca Allen, Sara Blicavs, Alex Bunton, Natalie Burton, Elizabeth Cambage, Stephanie Collins, Stephanie Cumming, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Jessica Foley, Laura Hodges, Alice Kunek, Tessa Lavey, Tess Madgen, Rachael McCully, Carley Mijovic, Leilani Mitchell, Mia Newley, Erin Phillips, Jennifer Screen, Stephanie Talbot, Penny Taylor, Kristen Veal, Kelly Wilson, Hanna Zavecz.
