Gilbert Arenas wouldn't draft Cooper Flagg with the #1 pick: 'He's my second or third option'

Cooper Flagg is widely regarded as one of the most talented young basketball prospects in recent years. Still, his skillset and NBA readiness sparked a significant debate on the Gil's Arena podcast. Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas shared his thoughts on Flagg, offering both praise for the 17-year-old's abilities and caution about the expectations surrounding him as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the next NBA draft.

"He's 17, so cool, right? It's just, he's 17," Arenas said while emphasizing that he doesn't want to hurt his draft stock, but he didn't sound encouraged after watching Flagg play live.

Better as a second or third option

While Arenas acknowledged Flagg's promise, he questioned whether the teenager is ready to shoulder the responsibility of being a franchise's primary star. Top picks in the draft are often expected to transform struggling teams, and Arenas expressed skepticism about Flagg's ability to immediately fill that role. Instead, he views Flagg as better suited to being a complementary piece on a team with established stars.

"Like, he's my second or third option," he said. If I'm demanding, if I'm telling him to be the next type of GOAT guy that we're gonna feed our offense through, I don't... I can't see it right now."

Arenas pointed out that Flagg excels at fitting into team systems, where opportunities are created for him. However, he noted a key limitation: Flagg's difficulty initiating his own offense. However, Kenyon Martin didn't really agree with Agent Zero's take, saying that Flagg is still young and a part of a functioning offense at Duke.

Still, Arenas observed that much of Flagg's scoring comes from ball movement and team setups rather than individual isolation plays. This skill gap could hinder Flagg's ability to take over games as a primary scorer, a skill typically expected from a No. 1 pick.

Success depends on the right fit

Flagg's potential, according to Arenas, lies in his ability to become an elite secondary or tertiary option for a well-built team. Drawing comparisons, Arenas likened him to "a Draymond Green type - Draymond Green with better offensive skill," while also mentioning that Flagg could follow the path of players like Tim Duncan in seamlessly fitting into a strong system. However, Arenas was careful to clarify that Flagg lacks the dominance that made Duncan an NBA cornerstone from the outset.

Ultimately, Arenas believes Flagg's success will depend heavily on the team that drafts him. He could thrive as a key contributor if he joins a team with an established star or a clear identity. However, if Flagg is expected to carry a franchise as its singular star right away, the transition may prove challenging. As Arenas said, "Putting the ball in his hand and saying, 'You're going to be our superstar, carry us,' I don't know if he's ready for that yet."