NBA GM Doesn't See Cooper Flagg as 'No. 1' on Title Team But Draws Scottie Pippen Comp

Cooper Flagg is widely regarded as the top prospect available in the 2025 NBA draft and will surely be seen as a building block for whichever team selects him, but at least one general manager wonders whether he can win a championship as the No. 1 option on an NBA team.

"I say Scottie because he could have been a No. 1 guy, and was after MJ left [Chicago], but he became by far the best No. 2," the Eastern Conference GM told ESPN's Jeremy Woo. "I think Cooper will be a hell of a No. 2, but he might need a top 10 [player] running mate with him. He can obviously prove me wrong, but I don't see him as a No. 1 guy on a championship team in his career."

While Scottie Pippen was the No. 2 option to Michael Jordan for much of his career on the Chicago Bulls, that's still a lofty comparison. After all, Pippen is arguably the best No. 2 option in NBA history. He amassed a Hall of Fame resume that included six championships, 10 All-Defensive selections, seven All-NBA nods, seven All-Star selections and a spot on the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.

The comparison also hints at Flagg's ability to stuff the stat sheet as more than just a pure scorer. The Duke star can facilitate as a ball-handling point forward, shut down the opponent's best scoring options and help control the boards as a formidable rebounder.

Even when Jordan was doing the heavy lifting as Chicago's primary scorer, Pippen helped the Bulls win six championships with his ability to do everything on the floor and take some of the defensive pressure off His Airness' shoulders.

Perhaps Pippen could have been a true No. 1 with more opportunity during his Hall of Fame career.

He played that role during the 1993-94 season after Jordan retired to pursue baseball and finished third in MVP voting while leading the Bulls to the second round of the playoffs. Jordan returned late the following season, and the duo then went on to their second three-peat from 1996-98.

While the idea of Flagg not being the No. 1 option on a championship team may be seen as a concern given his status as a surefire No. 1 pick, Pippen is quite the blueprint to follow. Whichever team drafts the Duke star should be fairly pleased with six championships and a Hall of Famer.