FIBA World Cup: How would the 9 best FIBA squads perform in the NBA?

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NBA Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Nigeria

PG: Ben Uzoh (NBA / G League experience), Gabe Vincent (G League),

SG: Josh Okogie (Timberwolves), David Nwaba (Nets), Miye Oni (Jazz), KZ Okpala (Heat)

SF: Al-Farouq Aminu (Magic), Semi Ojeleye (Celtics), Stan Okoye (VMI), Jordan Nwora (Louisville)

PF: Ike Diogu (NBA / G League), Chimezie Metu (Spurs), Chuma Okeke (Magic)

C: Ekpe Udoh (NBA), Festus Ezeli (NBA), Alade Aminu (G League)

Verdict: This smells like a lottery team in the NBA but one with some young, intriguing pieces on rookie deals to build around and lots of salary cap room. Nigeria probably wouldn’t win many games, but they’d have the potential for a bright future if their young prospects blossom. It’s also one Kevin Love contract away from looking a lot like the current Cleveland Cavaliers roster.

Spain

PG: Ricky Rubio (Suns), Sergio Rodriguez (NBA)

SG: Sergio Llull (Rights owned by Rockets)

SF: Rudy Fernandez (NBA), Alex Abrines (NBA)

PF: Serge Ibaka (Raptors), Nikola Mirotic (NBA), Juan Hernangomez (Nuggets)

C: Marc Gasol (Raptors), Pau Gasol (Blazers), Willy Hernangomez (Hornets)

Verdict: This is basically the 2019-20 Toronto Raptors except you’re replacing Pascal Siakam with Nikola Mirotic and the Hernangomezes (Hernangomi?) and Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet with Ricky Rubio and Sergio Llull. Unless Siakam makes another big leap this season, I’d call that a wash. I’d say 6th-seed in the East, 10th in the West.