The San Antonio Spurs simply bought their future franchise participant within the type of Victor Wembanyama, however each Batman wants his Robin. It’s by no means too early to sit up for the subsequent participant that might develop into his running-mate.
Final week, it was introduced that Maine highschool phenom Cooper Flagg would reclassify to the 2024 recruiting class, making him NBA draft eligible in 2025. Regardless that he’s 16-years-old, Flagg is broadly thought-about to be the very best participant in highschool basketball proper now. He’ll probably be the consensus number-one decide within the 2025 NBA draft.
At 6-9, 200 kilos, Flagg dominated the summer time U17 AAU circuit. He was routinely placing up monster stat traces like his 38 level, 16 rebound, 11 block triple-double, and he’s not simply doing this towards children who’re simply in search of a break from historical past class. At Peach Jam, he put up 21 factors, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks towards Carlos Boozer’s twin sons, who’re largely thought-about to be among the greatest highschool gamers within the nation.
Flagg is an elite defender who’s holding his opponents to under 40% (FOURTY PERCENT) taking pictures on the rim. That’s nearly extraordinary rim safety. He’s a fiery competitor with elite athleticism and excessive basketball IQ. He’s an adept passer out of the brief roll and double-teams. Regardless of not being a knock down shooter but, he’s an off-ball menace along with his savvy reducing capability and robust rim finishes. Adam Spinella from the Field and One has an excellent break down of what makes Flagg’s recreation so particular.
Wembanyama was probably the most hyped prospect since LeBron James, however had Wemby chosen jai alai as a substitute of basketball, that honor would’ve been Flagg’s. He additionally may be an ideal match alongside Wembanyama and completely attainable for the Spurs within the 2025 draft.
San Antonio can have two unprotected picks in 2025: their very own and the Atlanta Hawks’ decide from the Dejounte Murray commerce. In addition they have the Chicago Bulls ‘25 decide that’s top-10 protected. They might probably have the Charlotte Hornets’ lottery protected decide and the Toronto Raptors top-6 protected decide in the event that they don’t convey within the 2024 draft. So within the best-case state of affairs, San Antonio may have 5 first spherical picks in 2025.
Atlanta is an efficient group proper now however might be a ticking time bomb if issues don’t work out for Trae Younger, Murray and Co. It’s attainable issues don’t go nicely subsequent season, and a as soon as promising younger roster might be on the doorstep of catastrophe.
As for San Antonio, it’s powerful to inform what place they are going to be in going into the 2025 draft. That can largely rely on how good Wembanyama is early in his profession and the way the roster develops round him.
The Memphis Grizzlies are an excellent instance of a group who drafted a younger star and shortly grew to become a contender. Only a 12 months after Ja Morant’s rookie season, the Grizzlies went 38-34 and made the playoffs. In 12 months three of Morant’s profession, they went 56-26 and misplaced within the second spherical. That’s a close to best-case-scenario for a younger group.
What if it doesn’t go so nicely? Have a look at the exact same draft class and Zion Williamson. In 12 months three, the New Orleans Pelicans barely made the play-in recreation with a 36-46 report largely due to how few video games Zion performed. It’s not a assure {that a} younger star leads a franchise to rapid postseason success.
If the Spurs rapid future seems extra just like the Pelicans’ than the Grizzlies’, they might be within the operating for Flagg. A protection that includes Wembanyama and Flagg can be downright menacing. Two uber-long, switchable defenders who can shield the rim is an elite combo. Offensively, they each can play off-ball or rating with the ball of their palms. Flagg would thrive within the Spurs system that emphasizes off-ball motion, reducing, screening and excessive put up play. It will be a basketball match made in heaven.
Look, the very last thing anybody desires to listen to after a bottom-three end is that the group will nonetheless be there in two extra years. It is a group that should develop and fulfill a fanbase that desires to get again to profitable. Basketball is an unpredictable sport, and loads may trasnpire over the course of the subsequent two seasons.
Even when issues go proper, the Spurs have a number of draft picks that might permit them to compete and land Flagg. No matter what occurs, he’s a proficient participant who can be an excellent match for the group they’re constructing. If nothing else, he’s somebody Spurs followers ought to preserve their eyes out for when he heads for faculty in a 12 months.
