Seth Greenberg predicts Cooper Flagg will be 'next level' in the NBA

ESPN’s Seth Greenberg predicted Cooper Flagg would be “next level” in the NBA once he’s drafted Wednesday. The expectation is that Flagg will go No. 1 overall to the Dallas Mavericks.

If that’s the case, Flagg will be in a situation to instantly succeed based on the talent around him. Granted, Dallas has to be healthy, but the Mavericks could be really good right away.

It’s a lot to put on the shoulders of a rookie, but Flagg could be one of the exceptions who has no problems right away. That’s been the discussion since Flagg started playing basketball last year at Duke.

“He’s going to be next level because they’re not going to ask as much of him because of the players that are surrounding him,” Greenberg said on Get Up. “I mean, when they get healthy, … he’s playing with Kyrie Irving, all-star, Klay Thompson, all-star. He’s got other guys around him, so all of a sudden, the best of Cooper Flagg is his versatility … His ability to make plays … you can actually run your offense through him. He can post up, he can play off the perimeter …

“His versatility is perfect for this Dallas team, so maybe another overall number one pick that is surrounded by as good of talent as Cooper Flagg will be in his rookie season. So less will be asked of him. And the great thing about him, he just takes what the defense gives him. And I didn’t even mention his defensive range because his seven-two wingspan, his defensive range is ridiculous.”

The praise didn’t stop there from ESPN’s college basketball analysts. Jay Bilas said Flagg was the best freshman that the Blue Devils ever had.

“To your question about Cooper Flagg? You know, I happen to think he’s the best freshman player that Duke has ever had,” Bilas said. “That might not mean he’s the most talented – Grant Hill and Kyrie Irving were incredibly talented players when they came out of Duke. Grant came out as a senior and Kyrie left after his freshman year after being injured for most of the season. 

“But no other freshman produced, as an 18-year-old, like Cooper Flagg did across the board, not only in success of the team but in individual success. As an 18-year-old, to be as complete a player as he is right now, and as competitive as he is as an 18-year-old, is really hard to fathom…What he accomplished at 18 is really staggering.”

It’ll be made official tonight, but get ready to start referring to Flag as a Mavericks rookie. Or star. The NBA Draft begins at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday.