Our NBA Draft Expert's 5 Realistic Pro Comps for Cooper Flagg, From Worst to Best

NBA scouts have been trying to project Cooper Flagg's best pro comparison for years.

Realistically, there hasn't been an obvious, singular comparison for an athletic, 6'9", three-level scorer, passer and defender who guards bigs and wings. But the idea is to project the right archetype, which means predicting style and what strengths translate most. And it also means trying to determine Flagg's level of impact.

In picking these comparisons, we tried to combine/balance style and impact when visualizing the 18-year-old's prime years in the NBA.

We started with the worst-case outcome and then moved on to the best-case outcome.

5. Andrei Kirilenko

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Andrei Kirilenko's name has popped up in this draft cycle thanks to Flagg's defensive movement at 6'9".

The Duke product has reminded scouts of the former NBA Star and All-NBA Defender with how quickly he's able to anticipate, cover ground, make plays and guard different positions.

Mirroring the Russian would mean a best-case outcome defensively for Flagg, who's averaging 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks. It would also mean a worst-case outcome offensively, which would show the teenager relying mostly on athleticism and occasional spot-up shooting for scoring.

Flagg still isn't a shooter by label right now, and while he's improved his self-creation, the one-on-one execution doesn't scream "No. 1 option in the NBA" just yet.

4. Jalen Johnson

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While Flagg is further along with his perimeter shotmaking, decision-making and defense at the same age, Jalen Johnson possessed similar tools, open-floor athleticism and point-forward playmaking ability at the age of 18.

Now, the Atlanta Hawks' budding star is on track to become a 20-point, 10-rebound, five-assist forward. At 6'8", he logged 100 pick-and-roll ball-handling possessions this season before injuring his shoulder.

Flagg is also very comfortable in ball-screen situations, imposing his size/agility downhill and passing IQ.

Like Johnson, he's going to use fast breaks for offense often, both by initiating and finishing them. And both play with strength around the basket and under the boards.

Flagg is clearly the better shooter than Johnson was at Duke, but the latter has made real progress in Atlanta and is now making over a three per game, 40.0 percent of his mid-range jumpers and 74.6 percent of his free throws.

Still, as a perimeter scorer, Flagg will get to where Johnson is now far sooner. But a worst-case outcome results from his pull-up, fallaway and post games plateauing.

3. Scottie Barnes

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Flagg's scoring versatility, passing and defense can resemble those belonging to Scottie Barnes.

The list of NBA players who can average at least 19.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks is short, but both Barnes and Flagg create advantages with their ball-handling and size. They run pick-and-rolls and initiate fast breaks. They're both active scorers in the mid-range area. Offense can run through them, particularly since they possess that coveted point-forward IQ.

Barnes wasn't a shooter at Florida State, but by his third year in Toronto, he was making 1.7 threes and 78.1 percent of his free throws. These are achievable numbers for Flagg, who's much further ahead at the same age.

The Duke product's current level of shotmaking suggests his offensive ceiling is higher. Barnes struggles off the ball as a catch-and-shoot weapon, whereas Flagg has impressed with his growing comfort level making spot-up threes and curling around screens and handoffs.

A Barnes outcome ultimately occurs if Flagg's shotmaking development stalls.

2. Franz Wagner

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Franz Wagner has broken out into a 25-point-per-game scorer, generating most of his offense handling in transition and ball-screen situations.

Flagg could hit that same offensive trajectory if he continues to show growth with his handle. He's already a tough cover in ball-screen situations, and like Wagner, he thrives by using his strength and athleticism around the basket.

Both players also serve as secondary playmakers.

Wagner's archetype is more of a jumbo wing or a combo forward, rather than a big. And we're starting to see Flagg gradually morph into more of a perimeter player with his evolving creation and shot.

Shooting hasn't been a big strength for Wagner, and realistically, Flagg will also lean more on attacking, finishing and mid-range offense. But the German still hits 1.9 threes per game, a number the Blue Devils star seems capable of reaching after a few years of shotmaking growth in the league.

Flagg ultimately turning into an offensive replica of Wagner, while making a greater impact defensively with his instincts and competitiveness, should be a satisfying outcome for the eventual lottery-winning franchise.

1. Kevin Garnett

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A best-case outcome shows Flagg developing into a No. 1 option and point forward who also changes games defensively with his court coverage and intensity.

This would be a Kevin Garnett-type impact player, although there are some differences stylistically, with Flagg displaying more traditional wing creation skill.

Like Garnett, though, Flagg mixes power forward size with ball-handling and passing. He has also been a highly efficient post scorer at Duke, as well as an encouraging mid-range shooter.

Though he's more guard-like than the 15-time All-Star, Flagg should wind up being a difficult frontcourt cover you can feature from the elbows and short corners.

Defensively, both players have live motors, switchable feet and athletic playmaking ability around the basket.

Garnett was one of only eight NBA players to average 20 points, 10 boards, five assists, a steal and a block. And Flagg has the scoring potential, body, IQ and defensive athleticism/tools to reach those marks.