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

Canada

PG: Cory Joseph (Kings), Kevin Pangos (NCAA – Gonzaga), Andrew Nembhard (NCAA – Florida), Brady Heslip (G League), Naz Mitrou-Long (Pacers), Lugentz Dort (Thunder)

SG: Marial Shayok (76ers), Phil Scrubb (Russia), Andy Rautins (Turkey) 

SF: Melvin Ejim (G League), Thomas Scrubb (Italy), Aaron Doornekamp (Spain)

PF: Oshae Brissett (Raptors), Kyle Wiltjer (G League)

C: Khem Birch (Magic), Chris Boucher (Raptors)

Verdict: Much like Team USA this year at the FIBA World Cup, Team Canada would be one of the favorites heading into the tournament had they had a fully committed team. However, considering that this isn’t an Olympic tournament, Team Canada is sending in its C team.

Without their big names on the roster, Team Canada really doesn’t have much talent to build around. They have some really big NBA bench contributors in Cory Joseph, Naz Mitrou-Long, and Lugentz Dort in the backcourt with Khem Birch along the frontcourt.

After that, it’s basically the promise of some of their other younger players that are either participating in the NBA’s G Leauge or are still in college or playing in another overseas league. Not really anything concrete to build around.

It would be tough to see this Canada team making much, if any, noise in the NBA as a team. Even in a much weaker Eastern Conference.