Projecting Team Canada’s ideal starting basketball lineup for Paris Olympics

Canada Basketball has finalized its 20-man training-camp roster for the Paris Olympics. If the Canadians want to medal like they did at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, here’s who head coach Jordi Fernandez should start this summer: 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma Thunder) | Point guard | 6-foot-6, 195 pounds

The 2024 NBA MVP runner-up might be the only no-brainer Fernandez has when it comes to sorting out his rotation, as the 25-year-old has already proved he can lead and perform on any stage – international or NBA. He averaged 24.5 PPG in last year’s FIBA World Cup, helping to bring home bronze for Canada. Gilgeous-Alexander later guiding a young Oklahoma City Thunder team to the No.1 seed in a stacked Western Conference, averaging 30.1 PPG along the way.

Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets) | Shooting guard | 6-foot-4, 215 pounds

Though Fernandez could opt for more size and defense at this spot with Dillon Brooks (12.7 PPG and 35.9% from three this past season), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (8.0 PPG and 39.1% from three this past season) or Luguentz Dort (10.9 PPG and 39.4 % from three this past season), Murray should accompany Gilgeous-Alexander in the starting backcourt. Teams will primarily scheme for Gilgeous-Alexander, which will make Murray’s elite marksmanship (42.5% from three this past season) and superior shot-making abilities (21.2 PPG this past season) prove more valuable than the advantage in defense any other Canadian wing might bring to the table at this spot.

Despite limited international experience, the 2023 NBA champion is no stranger to the big stage. In 65 playoff games, Murray has averaged 24.2 PPG and 6.2 APG, significant increases from his career averages of 17.5 PPG and 4.5 APG.

Andrew Wiggins (Golden State Warriors) | Small forward | 6-foot-7, 197 pounds

Wiggins should get the starting nod over Alexander-Walker, Brooks, Dort and RJ Barrett. Even in an extreme down year for the Warriors forward (13.2 PPG this past season compared to his career 18.2 PPG), he is still a better scorer than Alexander-Walker, Brooks and Dort.

Although Barrett was able to put up more points this year (20.2 PPG), he would not have the same scoring opportunities playing for the Canadian national team as he did playing for the Toronto Raptors. Moreover, the 2022 NBA champion has more playoff experience than any of Canada’s other wings and has shown he can defend with the best of them.