NBA · 11 months ago

NBA Mock Draft: Where Does Cooper Flagg Land?

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

30. Utah Jazz (via Cleveland): Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
NBA teams will be willing to take a flier on Carter Bryant given his NBA-ready body for the wing despite his youth, but he has a long way to go in order to become a consistent offensive contributor.
1. Washington Wizards: Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
The Washington Wizards are desperate for anything remotely promising, and landing Cooper Flagg would put their franchise back on the national stage for the first time since Michael Jordan’s Farewell Tour.
2. New Orleans Pelicans: Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
The New Orleans Pelicans might be forced to blow it up since they can never break out of the injury spell, and landing Dylan Harper would give the Pelicans a franchise guard to chart a new era.
3. Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
Don’t be surprised if Ace Bailey is a sneaky pick for the No. 1 overall pick by year’s end, as he can do things in a 6’10” frame that he shouldn’t be able to do at his age. There isn’t a shot on the floor he won’t take and make, putting his upside at an All-NBA level.
4. Philadelphia 76ers: Egor Demin, G, BYU
Egor Demin is a relative unknown to most, but the product of Russia is now making for himself at BYU as a 6’9” point guard with the IQ of an NBA veteran as his offensive skill set continues to improve. He’s a dangerous prospect that would allow Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain to feast off-ball for the next decade.
5. Toronto Raptors: Tre Johnson, G, Texas
The Toronto Raptors are eager to land themselves a pure bucket-getter from the guard position, and Tre Johnson can pour it on from anywhere on the floor.
6. Charlotte Hornets: VJ Edgecombe, F, Baylor
VJ Edgecombe is the “fan favorite” of many NBA scouts, and many are bullish about his potential ceiling as he’s a freak athlete with an insane motor. He can get to the rim effortlessly, and many are excited about what his outside shot can develop into.
7. Chicago Bulls: Nolan Traore, G, France
The Chicago Bulls may be in for a total reset across the board, and landing Nolan Traore at this stage of the draft would be a steal for them. Unlike most French guards that we’ve seen in recent years, Traore is the total package on the offensive end of the floor, and is something that could shoot up draft boards as the draft nears.
8. Portland Trail Blazers: Noa Essengue, F, France
The Portland Trail Blazers aren’t going anywhere any time soon it appears, so they can afford to wait for Noa Essengue to develop. Essengue will be one of the youngest players in the entire draft, but the 6’10” forward has a lot to like as an athlete and has an offensive foundation.
9. Detroit Pistons: Kon Knueppel, F, Duke
Kon Knueppel has seen a meteoric boost up the draft boards, and it may not stop as this is one of the most talented outside shooters we’ve seen in years at the college level.
10. Sacramento Kings: Derik Queen, F/C, Marlyland
The Sacramento Kings could use some depth behind Domantas Sabonis, and Derik Queen could give them solid minutes right away as a physical presence around the glass who is a seamless scorer within the paint.
11. Brooklyn Nets: Asa Newell, F, Georgia
Asa Newell is a 6’10” forward who operates like a 6’5” shooting guard with an effortless outside shot and isn’t afraid to be a scraper. He’d fit the mold of what Jordi Fernandez is looking to build in Brooklyn.
12. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota): Will Riley, G, Illinois
Despite his age, NBA scouts will salivate over Will Riley as a 6’8” combo guard who has the makings of becoming a three-level scorer as he develops.
13. San Antonio Spurs: Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
Collin Murray-Boyles would be the ideal pairing next to Victor Wembanyama for the long term if his outside shot can develop as NBA scouts expect. The 6’7” forward may be a tad undersized to be an NBA-four, but he’s a willing defender with a well-rounded offensive approach.
14. Orlando Magic (via Denver): Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
The Orlando Magic are building something special in Central Florida, so if they’re able to get their hands on Khaman Maluach, they shouldn’t hesitate. The 7’2” center is still raw, but he’s an exciting prospect due to his length, defensive abilities, and ability to stretch the floor and knock down a three. He needs to develop more of an NBA-ready body, but he’s more than worth the gamble.
15. Portland Trail Blazers: Noa Essengue, F, France
Hugo Gonzalez does everything you want from a combo guard in the NBA, but he doesn’t necessarily do anything especially well. Odds are that he’ll never develop into a star, but he’ll likely have a long career as a dependable role player. Sometimes, that’s all you need!
16. San Antonio Spurs (via Atlanta): Ben Saraf, G, Israel
Ben Saraf is an exciting prospect out of Israel with the scoring instincts that many NBA scouts love to see. However, to compete at the next level, he’ll need to get stronger and fill out his 6’6” frame.
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Miami): Drake Powell, G, North Carolina
Drake Powell may be better served spending another year at North Carolina to continue developing, but should he declare for the ‘25 draft, he’ll have plenty of first-round suitors. He’s a freakish athlete with the ideal body for an NBA small forward, but he just needs time. The Oklahoma City Thunder are certainly a team that would be willing to wait.
18. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee): Boogie Fland, G, Arkansas
Does the love for Kentucky guards now translate to Arkansas with Coach Cal? Boogie Fland is the next project for Coach Cal, and he fits the mold of so many Kentucky guards we’ve seen over the years who have insane speed and can get to the basket lightning quick.
19. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix): Liam McNeeley, F, UConn
Liam McNeeley is the ideal 3-and-D prospect who will have scouts salivating over his 6’7” frame. He’s not the best athlete, but he has an insane motor and mentality that compensates for his lack of athleticism on the defensive side of the floor.
20. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers): Rocco Zikarsky, C, Australia
The Oklahoma City Thunder should just be rolling the dice on promising big-man prospects with all their draft capital, and Rocco Zikarsky out of Australia is certainly worth some consideration. The 7’3” big man is a force on the paint and an easy rim protector who could easily be drafted higher than most anticipate by a center-needy team.
21. Atlanta Hawks (via LA Lakers): Ian Jackson, G, North Carolina
Ian Jackson is a force in transition and an elite athlete who is just a jump shot away from being an easy top-ten pick.
22. Brooklyn Nets (via New York): Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Watching Kasparas Jakucionis, all I see is a clone of Josh Giddey as he’s a smooth facilitator and willing to battle on the boards. Hopefully, his outside game will develop better than Giddey’s has.
23. Dallas Mavericks: Mackenzie Mgbako, F, Indiana
Mackenzie Mgbako could be a day-one NBA rotation player with his well-rounded offensive approach and shot from beyond the arc that will certainly translate to the next level.
24. Golden State Warriors: Alex Karaban, F, UConn
Alex Karaban is the ultimate product of Dan Hurley as he does all the right things on the offensive end of the floor but doesn’t do anything too well and isn’t a great athlete. His outside shot will translate to the next level, but he’ll definitely need to improve on the defensive end of the floor.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: JT Toppin, F, Texas Tech
While unrelated, when you think of one of the Toppins in the NBA, JT Toppin out of Texas Tech fits the mold as an athletic power forward, but we likely won’t see him in the dunk contest.
26. Orlando Magic: Donnie Freeman, F, Syracuse
Donnie Freeman offers sound play at the forward position as a solid athlete who does everything you ask for him. His three-point shot isn’t there yet, but his solid mid-range game makes up for it.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Houston): Johni Broome, F/C, Auburn
Johni Broome has turned heads on the NBA mock draft boards despite being a senior, as he’s been ferocious on the glass and boasts a nice touch around the rim.
28. Los Angeles Clippers (via OKC): Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton
Ryan Kalkbrenner would need to do a lot to develop into an NBA-ready body, but he’s had a decorated college career. Still, an NBA team could find value in his defensive abilities in the paint and high-IQ play around the paint.
29. Boston Celtics: Kam Jones, G, Marquette
The Boston Celtics aren’t afraid to take older prospects in the back end of the first round, and Kam Jones would be an ideal fit for them as they look to continue having a well-stocked bench of contributors.
30. Utah Jazz (via Cleveland): Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
NBA teams will be willing to take a flier on Carter Bryant given his NBA-ready body for the wing despite his youth, but he has a long way to go in order to become a consistent offensive contributor.
1. Washington Wizards: Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
The Washington Wizards are desperate for anything remotely promising, and landing Cooper Flagg would put their franchise back on the national stage for the first time since Michael Jordan’s Farewell Tour.

NBA Mock Draft: Where Does Cooper Flagg Land?

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