Cooper Flagg is expected to not only be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft but also a superstar in the making. It may not happen immediately, but his ceiling projects to be very high. And if you ask Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, he even sees a potential like that of Hall of Fame forward Kevin Garnett.
Draft Analyst Compares Cooper Flagg With Kevin Garnett and Jalen Johnson
Flagg has been considered the prime prospect to be the top pick in the draft since 2023, when he announced his decision to graduate high school a year early. He has consistently produced solid performances, making his case as the next generational talent. He has won nearly every major national player accolade and averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists as he led the Blue Devils to the Final Four.
In his latest 2025 NBA mock draft post-combine, Wasserman predicted Flagg to be picked first overall by the Dallas Mavericks, who won the lottery with just a 1.8% chance. He also offered pro comps for the Duke standout, naming former Blue Devil Jalen Johnson and Garnett as the best two fits.
“Like Garnett, Flagg mixes power forward size with ball-handling and passing,” Wasserman wrote in a different article. “He has also been a highly efficient post scorer at Duke, as well as an encouraging mid-range shooter.
“Though he’s more guard-like than the 15-time All-Star, Flagg should wind up being a difficult frontcourt cover you can feature from the elbows and short corners.
“Defensively, both players have live motors, switchable feet and athletic playmaking ability around the basket.”
Garnett, who played for the Minnesota Timberwolves for most of his career, was one of only eight NBA players to average 20 points, 10 boards, five assists, a steal, and a block. Flagg has the scoring potential and tools to reach those marks.
Kevin Garnett says he sees superstar potential in Cooper Flagg:
“We ain't had no bad a** cold a** white boy like this in a long time.”
(via @allthesmokeprod) pic.twitter.com/od08CNJLLy
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops)
As for Johnson, he was on a steady rise in the NBA before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in January. The 23-year-old was averaging a career-high 18.9 points and 10 rebounds per game before the injury, and given Flagg’s potential, he’s very likely going to surpass Johnson in quick time.
NBA Draft Projection for Flagg
The Mavericks are unlikely to trade away the No. 1 pick after winning it by the barest of margins, and there’s no way they would pick anyone other than Flagg in the world. PFSN’s Brandon Austin agrees and predicts that Nico Harrison will invest the pick in the Duke standout.
“No one was happier to see the Dallas Mavericks land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft than general manager Nico Harrison,” Austin wrote. “After the criticism he fielded after trading away Luka Dončić, Harrison now lands another franchise cornerstone in Cooper Flagg, who will bring excitement back into the building.
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“Flagg elevates everyone around him, and he thrives in virtually every role. He doesn’t dominate possessions unnecessarily and has a rare feel for spacing, timing, and decision-making that will allow him to mesh well with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. The Mavericks are emphasizing size, defense, and positional flexibility — all areas where Flagg excels.”
