Latest news with #Banchero
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Banchero shares the pressure of being the top pick in the NBA Draft: "I've got to come in and be that guy from day one"
Current Orlando Magic franchise player Paolo Banchero admitted that he never saw himself playing for his team before he was drafted first overall in 2022. In fact, the one-time All-Star didn't even think he'd be selected number one because it wasn't implied to him prior to the draft, like for most. So when the Duke University product heard his name called first, Paolo felt a mix of relief, but also added pressure. "I think it was pressure because I didn't visit the Magic during my pre-draft process. I visited the second and third pick that were OKC and Houston, but I didn't visit the Magic, so I've never been to Orlando. I didn't step in their building and they still chose me. So I was like some of that pressure because they're choosing me because they really do believe that I can come and change things around. We didn't meet, I didn't work out, but they just believed in me that much," said Banchero. Banchero is living up to the pressure In fairness to the 22-year-old forward, he's given the Magic organization reasons to be confident about picking him first. Their young team — albeit being kicked out in the first round of the playoffs for two straight years — has looked like the best version of itself since they traded away Aaron Gordon in 2021. Since drafting Paolo three years ago, Orlando has made the playoffs twice. Advertisement But the 2022-2023 Rookie of the Year awardee is obviously far from satisfied with what he's achieved so far in Orlando. The pressure to turn the franchise around continues to increase, and in a league where a handful of superstars ring chase, the 6'10'' forward wants to deliver a title to the team that believed in him over his peers in the 2022 NBA Draft. "Once I realized I was going to Orlando, I was like, you know what? I've got to come in and be that guy from day one and just give them my 100% focus from the start because they're taking this chance on me, and I've got to prove them right," added Banchero. Related: Michael Jordan told Phil Jackson that Scottie Pippen was the second-best player on the 1992 Dream Team: "He was a legitimate star" Can Banchero break the trend? Speaking of winning a title for Orlando, no one has done that for them in franchise history despite having picked first in the draft four times since they joined the league in 1989. The reason for that is that the likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Dwight Howard, and Chris Webber went on to greener pastures to chase a title in different teams instead of staying in Orlando. That's why a lot of Magic fans fear that Paolo will follow the same trend that they've grown sick of at this point. Advertisement Fortunately for them, the Seattle native doesn't want to leave and feels the need to deliver a title for Orlando, at least for now. Banchero has shown encouraging growth and signs that he can be that guy for them since day one, but whether Paolo can be the franchise superstar leading his team to the promised land is a whole different story and challenge. Related: "The only thing missing for him right now is an elite point guard" - Cousins says Trae would take Banchero and the Magic to the next level
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paolo Banchero looks back on Mike Krzyzewski's impact on his growth as a player: "I didn't really understand it at the time"
Paolo Banchero is arguably one of the NBA's best rising stars. But his evolution as a player would not have been possible without Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Although he had a short stint with the Blue Devils, Coach K showered the 2022 ACC Rookie of the Year with lessons he initially couldn't understand. Only when he set foot in the pros did he realize what Krzyzewski was preaching. Advertisement "He always stressed, especially to me, was having a strong presence and a strong face. As an 18-year-old going into college, I didn't really understand it at the time," Banchero said on The Pivot Podcast. "Ever since kind of I've left, I've seen exactly what he means and exactly what he was talking about. You don't want to show weakness. You don't want to show any of that because you are being looked at as an investment." Coach K's impact The 6-foot-10 Orlando Magic star has a rare combination of size, skills, and basketball IQ. At his height, he can handle the ball as a guard and shoot it from anywhere on the court. Still, his mature approach to the game might be even more impressive. And according to Banchero, Krzyzewski deserves all the credit for it. Advertisement "He knew I wanted to be a star in the NBA. So I think he was preparing me for what comes with that and how I would have to handle myself," the 22-year-old stated. "Without him, I don't know if I would have understood that. I don't know if I would have had the maturity that I do now." Magic future looking bright Three seasons into his NBA career, Banchero's numbers — 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 198 regular season games — show he is meant for (super)stardom. Unlike other players they drafted in the past, he is someone who could lead the team to success. Luckily for the Magic, Banchero is dialed in and ready to repay the organization's trust from day one — the Magic drafted him even though he couldn't visit Orlando for the pre-draft process. Advertisement "We didn't meet, I didn't work out, but they just believed in me that much," the one-time All-Star shared. Banchero only has one goal: to deliver the club's first NBA championship. So far, the Magic has been to two NBA finals, in 1995 and 2009. Shaquille O'Neal led the team to its first Finals appearance, while Dwight Howard did the same in 2009. Could Banchero be next? Talented as he may be, the Duke product can't do it alone. And while guys like Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner are talented, the 2025 playoffs have shown that he'll need more help to make a deep postseason run — the Magic were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the first round. Advertisement Among the areas that the Magic need to improve is their long range shooting. They finished the season with the league's lowest 3-point shooting percentage (31.8), per ESPN. They also need someone to help distribute the ball better after finishing last in the league in assists, 23.0 per game. The good news for Magic management is that they don't need a high-priced star to fill those gaps. A good point guard and a reliable 3-point shooter should do the trick, especially if Banchero continues his rise toward NBA superstardom. Related: Banchero shares the pressure of being the top pick in the NBA Draft: "I've got to come in and be that guy from day one"
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Orlando Magic 2024-2025 fantasy basketball season recap: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner derailed by injuries
While the NBA Playoffs are in full swing, now is a good time to recap the fantasy basketball season for all 30 teams. In the following weeks, we will provide a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the NBA champion in June. Advertisement Injuries derailed Orlando in the regular season, but the future is still bright for this young core. They just need to continue to build around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Orlando Magic 2024-25 Season Recap Record: 41-41 (7th, East, lost first round) Offensive Rating: 106.7 (29th) Defensive Rating: 115.7 (24th) Net Rating: -19.1 (27th) Pace: 98.22 (23rd) 2024 Draft Picks: 16, 25, 46, 57 How often do two All-Star talents on the same team miss significant time in the same season due to oblique injuries? Well, that's what happened this year, with both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner missing a huge chunk of games. Still, they were able to recover and make it to the playoffs, though they lost in five games to the Celtics. Orlando has plenty of youth and upside, and it is all centered around Banchero and Wagner. Banchero has already been an All-Star, while Wagner likely would've made it this season if he didn't get hurt. Advertisement Still, there are plenty of questions for them to still answer. Banchero and Wagner are great, and Jalen Suggs is an excellent young player, but the rest of the roster is full of fringe starters and unproven youth. They have plenty of ammo to make moves, but they haven't taken any swings yet. With four picks this season and a number of former lottery picks, will Orlando push their chips in and try to build a contending team around their star forward duo? Or will they opt to give this team another season to run things back and hope for better injury luck? Fantasy Standout: Franz Wagner Wagner was at his best when Paolo Banchero was sidelined, but he still had a strong year overall. He averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.7 triples per game across his 60 appearances. He shot below 30 percent on three-pointers (29.5) for the second straight season, but the rest of his production was great. In 20 games without Banchero this season, Wagner averaged 26.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.8 steals and two triples per game. He was on pace to receive many honors throughout the year, but his oblique injury forced him to miss nearly two months. Prior to his injury, he had scored at least 30 points in three straight games. Wagner is talented enough to produce at that level consistently, but on a team with Banchero, that simply isn't his role. He becomes a 1B option instead of a true top scorer. That isn't a bad thing for Orlando, but for Wagner's individual production, it will be limited. Even so, he was still still productive when Banchero was available this season; it just wasn't as good as when Banchero was out. Advertisement The main thing Wagner needs to do is improve as a shooter. He shot 36.1 percent on triples two years ago, which provides some hope. He shot 32.1 percent from deep before his oblique injury and 27.5 percent after returning. Wagner mentioned that the injury impacted his shot , so hopefully he can fix his mechanics this summer. Still, 32.1 percent isn't a great mark. If he can become more of a threat from distance, things will open up for the entire team. Fantasy Revelation: Goga Bitadze At a glance, Bitadze's numbers don't look great. He averaged 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocks in 20.4 minutes per game. However, there was a long stretch from November to January where he was considered a must-roster player and provided excellent value in nine-cat leagues. From November 4 to January 12, Bitadze averaged 10.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.8 blocks while shooting 62.1 percent from the floor in 26.3 minutes per game. He provided fifth-round value during that stretch and seemed to have truly taken over as the primary center option in Orlando. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to maintain that production, and he was basically out of the rotation by the time the playoffs rolled around. Still, his breakout was one of the few revelations for the Magic this season. Advertisement Fantasy Disappointment: Wendell Carter Jr. For the third straight season, Carter Jr.'s numbers took a hit, which resulted in arguably the worst season of his career. He averaged 9.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and two assists in 25.9 minutes per game despite starting in 51 of his 68 appearances. There was a stretch where Carter Jr. lost his starting job to Bitadze, but after the All-Star break, he had taken it back. He had some decent games down the stretch, and the numbers were decent in the Boston series, but this was a frustrating year for him. He averaged under 10 points per game for the first time in his career and shot below 50 percent from the floor for the first time since his rookie year. After hitting at least one three-pointer per game in each of the last three seasons, Carter Jr. averaged 0.6 per game this year. Three years ago, he averaged 15 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. It doesn't feel like he'll ever get back to producing at that level. Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads Paolo Banchero The 2022 No. 1 overall pick was limited to just 46 games last season, but he still stuffed the stat sheet. He averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.9 triples per game, though he once again didn't contribute much value in other categories. Advertisement Banchero only played five games before he missed over two months, and he had a 50/13/9 games in there. It felt like he was going to be in for a big season, which was unfortunately derailed by the oblique injury. Still, he set new career highs for both points and rebounds per game. Banchero hasn't been a great category leagues player because he isn't efficient and he doesn't contribute defensive stats. Per , Banchero took 4.7 mid-range shots per game and made just 41.7 percent of them. He also took 3.9 shots per game in the paint (but outside the restricted area) and made 41.3 percent of those. The mid-range shot can be valuable, but Banchero hasn't been efficient enough for that to be the case. He either needs to improve his numbers or place an emphasis on getting to the rim. That will help his field goal percentage improve from 45.2 percent this year. Jalen Suggs The oblique injuries were the headlines, but Suggs ended up missing more time than both Banchero and Wagner. He only played 35 games and averaged 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.2 threes per game. Aside from the assists, those were all the best marks of Suggs' career. At this point, Suggs just needs to stay healthy. His 35 games were the fewest he has played in a season in his career, but he has only reached 55 games once. That was the 2023-24 season, when he played 75 games. That makes it clear to us that it's possible; it just hasn't happened yet. Suggs has a dynamic game for category leagues, and his improvement as a shooter has been helpful for the team. He still doesn't shoot a great percentage from distance (31.4 percent), but it's getting better. Advertisement Kentavious Caldwell-Pope After two seasons in Denver, KCP returned to the East to provide Orlando with a three-and-D veteran guard. He averaged 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 triples per game in his first year with the Magic. KCP has been a reliable source of both threes and steals throughout his career, and while he was still able to provide some value this year, his numbers did take a hit from his two years with the Nuggets. The 32-year-old will continue to be a strong veteran presence and a two-way contributor, but he's going to have to bounce back next year to be worth rostering in standard leagues. He shot 46.2 percent and 46 percent from the floor during his two years in Denver, but he shot 42.6 percent this past season, which was his worst mark since the 2017-18 season. Jonathan Isaac The most impressive stat in the entire NBA this season was that Isaac played 71 games. Prior to this year, he had played 69 games since the bubble. His availability was great to see, and he averaged 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 15.4 minutes per game. With the way Isaac's career has gone, it's difficult to imagine Orlando playing him more than in a limited capacity. He is far more impactful in 15 minutes per game over the course of the season than in a larger role that leads to him missing time. Unfortunately, that will limit his fantasy upside. If that ever changes, Isaac's game will translate to fantasy dominance. Advertisement Anthony Black The 2023 No. 6 overall pick has shown flashes in his first two years in the NBA, but it hasn't resulted in consistent production. Black averaged 9.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 24.2 minutes per game. The potential is there, but he simply hasn't gotten enough of an opportunity to turn it into elite numbers. Black's defense in college is what got him drafted so early, but his shooting limitations have kept him from earning more minutes. He showed more of a willingness to shoot from distance this past season, but he still isn't a good enough shooter to provide space for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to drive. Could Black become a fantasy star that is among the league leaders in steals if he starts? Perhaps. Is it a good idea for the Magic to clog driving lanes when the team ranked dead last in three-point percentage and three-pointers made this past season? Perhaps not. Black is worth stashing in dynasty leagues, but the path for him isn't clear right now. Cole Anthony Anthony saw his role decrease for a third straight season, and this ended up being the worst year of his career. He averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 threes in just 18.4 minutes per game. Anthony is one of the longest-tenured Magic players, and he should continue to play a reserve role for them. Having a player that can provide instant offense is still valuable. However, he ranked just inside the top 300 in nine-cat leagues. He may hold streaming value at times next season, but he shouldn't be on your draft radar. Advertisement Tristan da Silva Orlando took da Silva with the No. 18 pick in the draft last summer, and with the injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, he ended up playing more than they likely intended for him to. He averaged 7.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 triples in 22.0 minutes per game and started 38 times. He was drafted as a player that could space the floor and be ready to play from day one, and he was able to do both of those things as a rookie. He's almost 24 years old, so he doesn't hold the same upside that other players in his class did. However, he should continue to be a reliable reserve for the Magic. Moritz Wagner Sadly, Wagner's season came to a close after just 30 games due to a torn left ACL. Prior to his injury, he averaged 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.8 minutes per game. That was the best scoring average of his career, though the sample size was small. He should be healthy to start next season, and he'll continue to be a solid depth piece for them at center. Restricted Free Agents: Mac McClung, Trevelin Queen Unrestricted Free Agents: N/A Team Option: Moritz Wagner, Gary Harris, Cory Joseph, Caleb Houstan
NBC Sports
14-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Orlando Magic 2024-2025 fantasy basketball season recap: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner derailed by injuries
While the NBA Playoffs are in full swing, now is a good time to recap the fantasy basketball season for all 30 teams. In the following weeks, we will provide a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the NBA champion in June. Injuries derailed Orlando in the regular season, but the future is still bright for this young core. They just need to continue to build around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Orlando Magic 2024-25 Season Recap Record: 41-41 (7th, East, lost first round) Offensive Rating: 106.7 (29th) Defensive Rating: 115.7 (24th) Net Rating: -19.1 (27th) Pace: 98.22 (23rd) 2024 Draft Picks: 16, 25, 46, 57 How often do two All-Star talents on the same team miss significant time in the same season due to oblique injuries? Well, that's what happened this year, with both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner missing a huge chunk of games. Still, they were able to recover and make it to the playoffs, though they lost in five games to the Celtics. Orlando has plenty of youth and upside, and it is all centered around Banchero and Wagner. Banchero has already been an All-Star, while Wagner likely would've made it this season if he didn't get hurt. Still, there are plenty of questions for them to still answer. Banchero and Wagner are great, and Jalen Suggs is an excellent young player, but the rest of the roster is full of fringe starters and unproven youth. They have plenty of ammo to make moves, but they haven't taken any swings yet. With four picks this season and a number of former lottery picks, will Orlando push their chips in and try to build a contending team around their star forward duo? Or will they opt to give this team another season to run things back and hope for better injury luck? Fantasy Standout: Franz Wagner Wagner was at his best when Paolo Banchero was sidelined, but he still had a strong year overall. He averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.7 triples per game across his 60 appearances. He shot below 30 percent on three-pointers (29.5) for the second straight season, but the rest of his production was great. In 20 games without Banchero this season, Wagner averaged 26.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.8 steals and two triples per game. He was on pace to receive many honors throughout the year, but his oblique injury forced him to miss nearly two months. Prior to his injury, he had scored at least 30 points in three straight games. Wagner is talented enough to produce at that level consistently, but on a team with Banchero, that simply isn't his role. He becomes a 1B option instead of a true top scorer. That isn't a bad thing for Orlando, but for Wagner's individual production, it will be limited. Even so, he was still still productive when Banchero was available this season; it just wasn't as good as when Banchero was out. The main thing Wagner needs to do is improve as a shooter. He shot 36.1 percent on triples two years ago, which provides some hope. He shot 32.1 percent from deep before his oblique injury and 27.5 percent after returning. Wagner mentioned that the injury impacted his shot, so hopefully he can fix his mechanics this summer. Still, 32.1 percent isn't a great mark. If he can become more of a threat from distance, things will open up for the entire team. Fantasy Revelation: Goga Bitadze At a glance, Bitadze's numbers don't look great. He averaged 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocks in 20.4 minutes per game. However, there was a long stretch from November to January where he was considered a must-roster player and provided excellent value in nine-cat leagues. From November 4 to January 12, Bitadze averaged 10.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.8 blocks while shooting 62.1 percent from the floor in 26.3 minutes per game. He provided fifth-round value during that stretch and seemed to have truly taken over as the primary center option in Orlando. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to maintain that production, and he was basically out of the rotation by the time the playoffs rolled around. Still, his breakout was one of the few revelations for the Magic this season. Fantasy Disappointment: Wendell Carter Jr. For the third straight season, Carter Jr.'s numbers took a hit, which resulted in arguably the worst season of his career. He averaged 9.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and two assists in 25.9 minutes per game despite starting in 51 of his 68 appearances. There was a stretch where Carter Jr. lost his starting job to Bitadze, but after the All-Star break, he had taken it back. He had some decent games down the stretch, and the numbers were decent in the Boston series, but this was a frustrating year for him. He averaged under 10 points per game for the first time in his career and shot below 50 percent from the floor for the first time since his rookie year. After hitting at least one three-pointer per game in each of the last three seasons, Carter Jr. averaged 0.6 per game this year. Three years ago, he averaged 15 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. It doesn't feel like he'll ever get back to producing at that level. Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads Paolo Banchero The 2022 No. 1 overall pick was limited to just 46 games last season, but he still stuffed the stat sheet. He averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.9 triples per game, though he once again didn't contribute much value in other categories. Banchero only played five games before he missed over two months, and he had a 50/13/9 games in there. It felt like he was going to be in for a big season, which was unfortunately derailed by the oblique injury. Still, he set new career highs for both points and rebounds per game. Banchero hasn't been a great category leagues player because he isn't efficient and he doesn't contribute defensive stats. Per Banchero took 4.7 mid-range shots per game and made just 41.7 percent of them. He also took 3.9 shots per game in the paint (but outside the restricted area) and made 41.3 percent of those. The mid-range shot can be valuable, but Banchero hasn't been efficient enough for that to be the case. He either needs to improve his numbers or place an emphasis on getting to the rim. That will help his field goal percentage improve from 45.2 percent this year. Jalen Suggs The oblique injuries were the headlines, but Suggs ended up missing more time than both Banchero and Wagner. He only played 35 games and averaged 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.2 threes per game. Aside from the assists, those were all the best marks of Suggs' career. At this point, Suggs just needs to stay healthy. His 35 games were the fewest he has played in a season in his career, but he has only reached 55 games once. That was the 2023-24 season, when he played 75 games. That makes it clear to us that it's possible; it just hasn't happened yet. Suggs has a dynamic game for category leagues, and his improvement as a shooter has been helpful for the team. He still doesn't shoot a great percentage from distance (31.4 percent), but it's getting better. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope After two seasons in Denver, KCP returned to the East to provide Orlando with a three-and-D veteran guard. He averaged 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 triples per game in his first year with the Magic. KCP has been a reliable source of both threes and steals throughout his career, and while he was still able to provide some value this year, his numbers did take a hit from his two years with the Nuggets. The 32-year-old will continue to be a strong veteran presence and a two-way contributor, but he's going to have to bounce back next year to be worth rostering in standard leagues. He shot 46.2 percent and 46 percent from the floor during his two years in Denver, but he shot 42.6 percent this past season, which was his worst mark since the 2017-18 season. Jonathan Isaac The most impressive stat in the entire NBA this season was that Isaac played 71 games. Prior to this year, he had played 69 games since the bubble. His availability was great to see, and he averaged 5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 15.4 minutes per game. With the way Isaac's career has gone, it's difficult to imagine Orlando playing him more than in a limited capacity. He is far more impactful in 15 minutes per game over the course of the season than in a larger role that leads to him missing time. Unfortunately, that will limit his fantasy upside. If that ever changes, Isaac's game will translate to fantasy dominance. Anthony Black The 2023 No. 6 overall pick has shown flashes in his first two years in the NBA, but it hasn't resulted in consistent production. Black averaged 9.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 24.2 minutes per game. The potential is there, but he simply hasn't gotten enough of an opportunity to turn it into elite numbers. Black's defense in college is what got him drafted so early, but his shooting limitations have kept him from earning more minutes. He showed more of a willingness to shoot from distance this past season, but he still isn't a good enough shooter to provide space for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to drive. Could Black become a fantasy star that is among the league leaders in steals if he starts? Perhaps. Is it a good idea for the Magic to clog driving lanes when the team ranked dead last in three-point percentage and three-pointers made this past season? Perhaps not. Black is worth stashing in dynasty leagues, but the path for him isn't clear right now. Cole Anthony Anthony saw his role decrease for a third straight season, and this ended up being the worst year of his career. He averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 threes in just 18.4 minutes per game. Anthony is one of the longest-tenured Magic players, and he should continue to play a reserve role for them. Having a player that can provide instant offense is still valuable. However, he ranked just inside the top 300 in nine-cat leagues. He may hold streaming value at times next season, but he shouldn't be on your draft radar. Tristan da Silva Orlando took da Silva with the No. 18 pick in the draft last summer, and with the injuries to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, he ended up playing more than they likely intended for him to. He averaged 7.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 triples in 22.0 minutes per game and started 38 times. He was drafted as a player that could space the floor and be ready to play from day one, and he was able to do both of those things as a rookie. He's almost 24 years old, so he doesn't hold the same upside that other players in his class did. However, he should continue to be a reliable reserve for the Magic. Moritz Wagner Sadly, Wagner's season came to a close after just 30 games due to a torn left ACL. Prior to his injury, he averaged 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.8 minutes per game. That was the best scoring average of his career, though the sample size was small. He should be healthy to start next season, and he'll continue to be a solid depth piece for them at center. Restricted Free Agents: Mac McClung, Trevelin Queen Unrestricted Free Agents: N/A Team Option: Moritz Wagner, Gary Harris, Cory Joseph, Caleb Houstan
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How does Cooper Flagg rate as a prospect compared to the previous 10 No. 1 overall picks?
The NBA Draft Lottery is Monday night, meaning some lucky team will find itself with a promising start, and in some cases a clean slate — oh, there's a difference — if it gets its hands on Duke forward Cooper Flagg, this year's sure-fire No. 1 pick. Flagg, who is 6-foot-9 and a two-way force at power forward who reminds many of Mavericks star Anthony Davis, is not only supremely athletic but has a floor game that should flourish with the more spaced-out NBA game. By all accounts, Flagg could soon develop into a no-nonsense franchise player. But still, the No. 1 overall pick is no guarantee. Every player who is selected at the top of the draft is expected to be legit — hence going No. 1 overall. But as we know, basketball is a fickle beast, and there are a number of factors that can affect a player's career success. How does Flagg — as a prospect — compare to former No. 1 selections over the past 10 years. Anyone can look at the results with the power of hindsight and discern who's had the best career. But we are doing something a little different: How does Flagg compare to the previous 10 top overall selections when viewed through the lens of how each player entered the pre-draft conversation? Risacher is a forward like Flagg, and his size is also comparable to the Duke star. Yet, that's where the comparisons pretty much end. Flagg is stronger, more athletic (which is saying something), and his defensive game is already levels ahead. Offensively, it's another Flagg win. His ball-handling, playmaking and ability to function as a finisher are far superior to Risacher's skill. The edge: Flagg Well, let's not beat around the bush here. Wembanyama was a one-of-a-kind prospect and is superior to Flagg in virtually every facet of the game, and, yes, that's based on how Wembanyama played for French team Metropolitans 92. Defensively, the 7-4 do-it-all big man had (and still has) the potential to go down as potentially the most influential defender of all time, and offensively his 3-point shot, vertical spacing and overall shot creation are all elements that projected him as eventually becoming the best player in basketball. The edge: Sorry, Coop. It's easily Wemby. This is where things get interesting, as Banchero hails from the same college program and played not just a similar position but also a similar role for Duke. Banchero was further along offensively, especially in regards to creating offense for himself. Defensively, Flagg is way ahead of where Banchero was, and they're comparable rebounders. Yet, when it comes down to it, Flagg's offense is closer to Banchero's than the Magic star's defense is to Flagg's. And remember, Banchero was no slam dunk at No. 1. Chet Holmgren was also very much in the discussion, along with Jabari Smith Jr. The edge: Flagg Cunningham finally broke out this season, but a few years of injuries and subpar play — compared to expectations — has allowed us to forget the 6-6 point guard came into the 2021 NBA Draft with Luka Dončić comparisons, which isn't nothing. Cunningham's size, touch, playmaking, post play and ability to influence a game as a lead creator was viewed as enormously special, to the point where he was seen as a can't-miss prospect. Turns out, those assessments were right. The edge: Minor advantage to Cunningham, but they're in the same ballpark. At Georgia, Edwards was a straight bucket, but questions hovered around his playmaking, defense and ability to make winning plays, which is why LaMelo Ball and James Wiseman were also in contention for the top draft slot. We now know the Wolves made the right call. But since we have to judge Edwards on his pre-draft form, Flagg's overall influence and potential is viewed as far superior. The edge: Flagg Another day, another Duke power forward. This one is simple, as Williamson projected as a potential MVP candidate and sure-fire star, and was from the get-go perceived as an elite scorer — a perception that turned out to be true. Flagg's two-way play might project more friendly to NBA teams, but despite Williamson not having the same defensive potential, he was viewed as an other-worldly offensive powerhouse who could fundamentally change the future of an NBA team. The edge: Williamson We all know this was the Dončić draft, even if the Suns, Kings and Hawks didn't get the memo. So we have to make due with Ayton, who at his highest point with Arizona saw David Robinson comparisons and at his lowest was viewed as someone who could bust. Flagg projects as a much safer selection with a higher floor, even if the upside might not quite compare to the best projected version of Ayton. But keep in mind Ayton wasn't viewed as a major difference-maker defensively. The edge: Flagg Oh boy, this one is about to divide the waters because most will not remember Fultz's season at Washington, which is the premise of these comparisons — not NBA success. But let's be real: In Fultz's lone college season he looked as if he were Dwyane Wade with a 3-pointer. That's the type of prospect he was. A franchise-altering 6-4 lead guard who could eventually get 30 per night, while balancing playmaking and point-of-attack defense. The edge: Fultz, but we can probably already say Flagg will have the better professional career. Simmons was a ridiculously good all-around player with elite defensive upside during his one year at LSU. He's the one prospect who's similar in size to Flagg, and who compares well defensively to the Duke star. Unfortunately for Simmons, that's pretty much where it ends. Yes, Simmons could pass like nobody's business, but his lack of shooting ability didn't allow him to fully explore his playmaking capabilities, making him an extremely difficult player to build around. And yes, those concerns were indeed real back then. The edge: Flagg While he hit at the NBA level, there were plenty of questions about Towns. After all, he played just 21.1 minutes per game at Kentucky and barely cracked 10 points per game. He had great size, significant athleticism and his touch was tremendous, especially for someone 7 feet tall. Yet he simply didn't do enough at the collegiate level to stack up. The edge: Flagg For those keeping score, Flagg has the overall edge 6-4, meaning he's an elite prospect at No. 1, and whichever team gets the top pick should feel pretty good about its future on Monday night.
