Cooper Flagg’s highlight reel is tantalizing. He’s not just the consensus No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, he’s viewed as one of the best prospects to arrive in years.
One NBA scout wasn’t short of superlatives for the top prospect from Duke University. In his breakdown, he compared him to multiple stars in the league. If that comparison blossoms into fruition, NBA fans and, presumably, the Dallas Mavericks are in for a treat.
NBA Scout Gets Real on Cooper Flagg’s Talent
Despite having just a 1.8% chance to land the top pick after making the play-in tournament, the heavily criticized Mavericks lucked out in the draft lottery. After trading the beloved, generational Luka Dončić under unique circumstances, they’ve certainly gotten a generous reprieve.
Whatever debates go on about what took place in the draft lottery won’t bother the Mavericks, however. Flagg has all the tools to be their next franchise star, assuming they don’t trade out of the pick.
“Cooper Flagg has a mixture of Giannis [Antetokounmpo], [Jayson] Tatum, [Paul] George, and [Franz] Wagner all in one,” one scout said about his remarkable potential, according to Jamie Shaw of On3 in an article from October 2023.
While this quote was from before Flagg’s Duke tenure, it resurfaced in anticipation of the 2025 NBA Draft.
“Cooper Flagg has a mixture of Giannis, Tatum, George, and Wagner all in one,”
– NBA Scout #MFFL h/t @On3sports @CooperFMuse pic.twitter.com/Z862JBFsIk
— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL)
Flagg is armed with the versatility and strength to play anywhere across the frontcourt, not to mention the vision and handles to be a secondary guard at the next level. Many scouts have continued to list a plethora of NBA greats as comparisons, with one drawing a comparison to Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett.
There are a lot of expectations scouts are placing on the star prospect from Duke. Undoubtedly, Flagg has a good head on his shoulders to take it all in stride, but to be compared to all these great players has to be somewhat daunting, as well as an honor.
Who Are Flagg’s NBA Comparisons
Flagg’s 7’1″ wingspan and 205-pound frame make him a fascinating and versatile prospect. His defense is considered elite, and he’s a tremendous shot blocker.
Offensively, he can be a secondary ball-handler at the next level and a beast at driving and finishing at the rim. There are certainly many aspects to his game that draw comparisons to George, Tatum, and Antetokounmpo.
He doesn’t quite have the perimeter game as Tatum or George. However, he could still improve his 38.5% perimeter shooting at Duke at the next level.
The methodical ways he breaks down defenses to create for himself and others allow comparisons to the aforementioned names, along with his versatility. In the age of positionless basketball, Flagg is one of the best prospects in years in that regard.
MORE: 2025 NBA Mock Draft
One comparison that fits the bill even better than those named is Kawhi Leonard, due to his two-way presence and elite instincts defensively. As one scout opined: “Flagg’s impact on winning games, coupled with further offensive development, could elevate him into franchise player territory in the same way [as Leonard].”
To be compared to all the greats in the NBA already is a further testament to how special this prospect is and how he has franchise-level potential.
