Cooper Flagg is the best prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft class by a mile. Polished on both ends of the floor with some of the strongest traits we have ever seen, there is no question Flagg will be the number one pick on draft night. To kick off our draft coverage, let's look at what makes Flagg one of the most hyped up prospects in NBA history.
From: Bob Dannon (Imagn Images)
Pros
Cooper Flagg is a near-flawless defensive prospect. At 6'9" with a freakish wingspan, he can guard all five positions. Flagg's instincts are elite, making him a perfect off-ball defender, capable of jumping passing lanes and rotating to contest shots on the perimeter. While not as quick laterally as other guards in the class, his length and athleticism disrupt perimeter players when attacking Flagg. He jumps out of the gym when contesting at the rim and is possibly the best rim defender in the class. Flagg is a ridiculous defender and will instantly disrupt the rhythm of NBA offenses.
Offensively he is not as polished, but is still a damn good player. Flagg is a menace in transition, grabbing rebounds and pushing fast breaks by himself. He can jump around or over any player, leaping through traffic to finish at the rim. He got a tad deferential at Duke, showcasing his playmaking abilities. Due to his elite rim pressure, Flagg was able to set up teammates for open looks all around the court. He did not shoot many threes, but was above average from behind the arc. Flagg's elite mid-range game, paired with good free-throw numbers, should project to a dangerous three-point shooter.
Cons
Out of necessity to list a negative about Flagg's game, I'm going to have to nitpick just a tad. In big spots, he tends to settle for contested mid-range jumpers. While a small sample size, it was a clear blemish on an almost perfect freshman season at Duke. Furthermore, Flagg became complacent at times on offense, leading to more difficult shots than needed.
Pro Comparison
Cooper Flagg's comparisons are wide-ranging due to his versatility. Combing through the hundreds of articles that have been published about him, I think the most satisfying comp is Franz Wagner. While not a one-to-one comparison, I could see Flagg turn into a Franz-type player with higher shooting upside and elite defense to pair alongside.
Conclusion
Cooper Flagg is a can't-miss prospect in the 2025 Draft. He is an elite defender at all three levels and has the potential to become a three-level scorer. Even if Flagg's offense does not translate instantly, his playmaking and defense will continue to make him a valuable player until that offense explodes. Teams should be lining up for a possible trade-up to number one, considering we never really know what goes on inside of Nico Harrison's head.
While the first scouting report of our NBA Draft coverage, if you want to read last year's draft coverage click here.