{"id":108434,"date":"2024-11-23T08:00:26","date_gmt":"2024-11-23T13:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=108434"},"modified":"2024-11-23T08:00:26","modified_gmt":"2024-11-23T13:00:26","slug":"cooper-flagg-best-draft-fit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/23\/cooper-flagg-best-draft-fit\/","title":{"rendered":"Cooper Flagg\u2019s Best Draft Fit Isn\u2019t Far From Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Duke forward Cooper Flagg<\/a> isn\u2019t as celebrated as the previous prospect who was projected to go No. 1 in the NBA Draft, San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama<\/a>. However, he\u2019s a player who \u2014like former Duke forwards Paolo Banchero<\/a> and Zion Williamson<\/a> \u2014has been highly popular since high school.<\/p>\n

At 6-foot-9, Flagg is a two-way playmaker who stuffs the stat sheet. As a result, it\u2019s not just his high school hype that resembles his predecessors at Duke, but his skillset. Banchero, Williamson, and 2017 No. 3 pick Jayson Tatum<\/a> were and remain do-it-all players. Like Flagg, Banchero and Tatum have done so without top-end athleticism.<\/p>\n

Flagg does have some competition<\/a> if he wants to be the top pick in the NBA Draft. Rutgers freshmen Ace Bailey<\/a> and Dylan Harper<\/a> have shades of Kevin Durant<\/a> and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> in their games, respectively. Nonetheless, his all-around ability and the professional success of players he compares favorably to \u2014which includes Banchero\u2019s current running mate, Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner<\/a> \u2014makes him a relatively safe bet at No. 1.<\/p>\n

Cooper Flagg\u2019s Best Draft Fit Isn\u2019t Far From Home<\/h2>\n

In case you hadn\u2019t heard, Flagg is from Maine, hence his (spectacular) nickname: \u201cThe Maine Event.\u201d<\/p>\n

After being drafted, he may just end up back in the Northeast. Of course, the Washington Wizards could land the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Because the NBA Draft Lottery, there\u2019s no guarantee having the worst record would lead to the best draft pick. Still, they\u2019re tied with the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers for the highest odds of landing at No. 1.<\/p>\n

Despite their sluggish start, the Sixers are expected to be much better by the end of the 2024-25 season though. The New Orleans Pelicans, who are currently projected to have the No. 4 pick, are as well. If that holds true, the Toronto Raptors could catapult into the top-three.<\/p>\n

Like the Wizards, the Raptors might have interest in Flagg, but his fit in Toronto is<\/em> a bit more stuffy than it would be in Washington. In D.C., Flagg would essentially just be Kyle Kuzma<\/a>\u2019s replacement. In the North, he would have a lot of overlap with Scottie Barnes<\/a> and RJ Barrett<\/a>. So, they might just be better off replacing Jakob Poeltl<\/a>, who could become a trade target for contending teams.<\/p>\n

With that being said, the Brooklyn Nets are the team that Flagg fits best. Located less than seven hours away from where he grew up, the New York borough might just be his new home. They just have to put themselves in position to draft him.<\/p>\n

\n

Cooper Flagg through five games:<\/p>\n

17.8 PPG
\n8.8 RPG
\n3.8 APG<\/p>\n

Leads Duke in PTS, REB, AST, STL, & BLK. pic.twitter.com\/BCBFa1jKPv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 StatMamba (@StatMamba) November 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n