NBA Team Without Playoff Win Since 2021 Labeled Cooper Flagg's Ideal Home
The NBA's worst-kept secret these days is that Duke star Cooper Flagg could be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft in June.
The only question now, of course, is where he will land. The annual NBA draft lottery is set on Monday, with the Utah Jazz, the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets all having a 14% chance to earn the top overall selection.
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The 18-year-old Flagg remains on top in almost every single mock draft, as many observers view him as the most NBA-ready among the talented young prospects.
While Flagg could make an immediate impact for any squad, ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst explained the perfect situation for Flagg.
Duke forward Cooper Flagg shoots the ball against Alabama.Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
"The team where I think Cooper Flagg might have a remarkable lane would be if Washington wins (the lottery) because that's a franchise that has been in the wilderness for a long time and is basically a dead market right now," said Windhorst on "The Hoop Collective" podcast.
"If he goes there, he has the potential to create (something)."
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His co-host, fellow ESPN reporter Tim Bontemps, mentioned the Brooklyn Nets as another good destination for Flagg. Windhorst, however, disagreed.
"The Nets' karma is not really on their side," added the veteran reporter. "The Wizards haven't had anything happen for them for decades."
Washington hasn't been to the playoffs in four straight seasons. The team's last postseason win came in 2021 in the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Wizards lost the series, 4-1. They haven't moved past the opening round since 2017.
Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in his one-and-done stint with the Blue Devils, leading them to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament.
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If he ends up in Washington, he would team up with Jordan Poole, Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly and form a very young core.
Related: Ex-NBA Star Doesn't Hold Back on Cooper Flagg Amid Rumors: 'I Got News For You'
Related: Former NBA Rookie of the Year Gets Roasted Over Wizards Take
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