"Don't see him as a No. 1 guy" - GM names Scottie Pippen's career as ceiling for Cooper Flagg's NBA career

Over the past year, countless fans and analysts have raved about Cooper Flagg as he gets closer to reaching the NBA. Well on his way to being the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, one executive has his doubts about the highly-touted prospect.

Flagg has been one of the best players in college basketball all year, averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 blocks for Duke. His strong play has left many wondering how impactful he can be at the next level, with some already crowning him a superstar in the making.

In a Wednesday column for ESPN, draft expert Jeremy Woo broke down all the different player comparisons that have been tossed out for Cooper Flagg. Among the names that have been tossed out is Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen. While giving their thoughts on Flagg's game, one Eastern Conference executive stated he doesn't believe the Duke star is a top option on a good team.

"I think Cooper will be a hell of a No. 2, but he might need a top 10 [player] running mate with him," said an Eastern Conference GM. "He can obviously prove me wrong, but I don't see him as a No. 1 guy on a championship team in his career."

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Flagg is still finishing out his freshman year at Duke and is just two wins away from delivering the program a national championship.

NBA scout feels Cooper Flagg draws comparisons to Kawhi Leonard

Seeing that he is a Hall of Famer with six championships on his resumé, Cooper Flagg being compared to Scottie Pippen is far from a dig. That said, one scout believes the blue-chip prospect has a far greater ceiling if he reaches his full potential.

While speaking anonymously to Woo, a Western Conference scout gave his take on the potential No. 1 pick. He feels Cooper Flagg could have a similar trajectory as Kawhi Leonard when he first entered the league. That being a player who can do just about everything from the start, but slowly grows into a star as their career goes on.

"He's always been a very good defender and the offense is coming along," the scout said. "It's a very similar path to the one Kawhi was on early in his NBA career, as a guy who had all these really useful qualities, and then entered as a real two-way force as he rounded out his game."

Since standing out against NBA talent at Team USA camp last summer, Flagg's hype has only steadily increased. Upon reaching the pros, he'll have some lofty expectations to live up to. Seeing how he's dominated college competition this year, Flagg seems more than ready to reach any bar set for him.

About the author

Kevin McCormick is a basketball writer at Sportskeeda with over four years of experience in journalism and a bachelor's degree in Sports Management Marketing from Holy Family University.

Kevin has worked with various notable outlets throughout his career, including 97.3 ESPN, ClutchPoints, Heavy Sports, and Sports Illustrated/FanNation, before joining Sportskeeda in March 2022.

Specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage, Kevin's passion for basketball stems from his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers. Among his favorite players are Kevin Durant, Chet Holmgren, and Steph Curry, while his all-time favorites include Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Kevin holds Coach K in high regard for the large input he's had on the game helping mold players across multiple generations. Kevin believes the iconic rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson helped elevate the league to its current status.

Through his writing, Kevin provides in-depth analysis and insights into player and coach quotes. He prioritizes sourcing information from credible and reliable outlets.

Kevin enjoys reading, aiming to finish at least one book per month, and he is a big fan of music.

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Edited by Kevin McCormick