NBA all-time great high on Cooper Flagg: ‘He’ll be considered one of the best of all-time’
BY ALEJANDRO LOPEZ
The No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Cooper Flagg is one of the most hyped prospects in recent history and one of the best players the NBA has ever seen is completely bought in to that hype.
“I think he’s going to be a hell of a player,” 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant told Dallashoopsjournal.com about Flagg’s future. “I think he’s going to be such a nightmare that he’ll be considered one of the best of all-time.”
Flagg dominated in his only year in college for Duke. The 6-foot-9 forward who could do it all put forth one of the greatest freshman seasons the game has ever seen.
The start to his NBA career, however, has been filled with unfamiliar territory and a super-star’s void to fill in Dallas.
A natural forward, Flagg has been asked to play mostly guard for the Mavericks, a position the team is especially light in after losing All-Star Kyrie Irving to injury and trading away superstar Luka Doncic last season in one of the most controversial deals in NBA history.
Naturally, such a drastic change in positions has meant an adjustment period for the rookie, an adjustment period that Durant feels he is familiar with.
“I hate to inject myself into his [situation],” Durant said. “But I came in college playing four, five. I came to the league playing a two. So it’s like position changes like that can really throw you off early on in your career, but I think he’s still working through it and having some good games, you know?”
But the all-time great doesn’t see this adjustment period stopping Flagg for very long.
“It’s only a matter of time before he gets it and clicks for him,” Durant said. “He understands truly what his role is — I think the sky’s the limit for him.”
Flagg is averaging 13.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists for the Dallas Mavericks through his first seven games of the season.
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