Former NBA Champion Questions Cooper Flagg’s Franchise Potential Ahead 2025 Draft

Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft and a standout at Duke, is widely regarded as a generational talent with the potential to be a franchise cornerstone for the Dallas Mavericks. He impressed throughout his college season, averaging 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds, and earned accolades such as the Associated Press Player of the Year, joining elite company like Zion Williamson and Kevin Durant. Flagg models his game defensively after Jonathan Isaac and offensively after Jayson Tatum, highlighting his versatility and skill. However, some experts, including former NBA champion Tony Allen, express skepticism about Flagg’s ceiling, comparing him more to Andrei Kirilenko than to a transformative star like Durant, and predicting he might be a one-time All-Star rather than a franchise changer. Additional NBA executives also temper expectations, suggesting while Flagg has All-Star potential, he may not reach the MVP level or the heights of recent top picks like Victor Wembanyama and Zion Williamson. The debate over Flagg’s long-term impact continues as the Mavericks prepare to select him in the draft, with many eyes on how he will transition to the NBA level.