The offensive plot, the big question mark in Cooper Flagg's future NBA career

What NBA teams are most focused on projecting about Cooper Flagg's game, and where there is the most difference of opinion in their evaluations, is the type of player he will become offensively. His shooting percentages (50.5% from 2, 22.6% from three, and 72.5% from the free-throw line in 10 games) offer room for long-term improvement. The caliber he becomes largely depends on how much he can grow as a scorer and focal point on the attack.

Duke's schedule provides Flagg with a great stage to succeed (or fail), giving him the opportunity to create shots for himself and score late in games. These decisions have not always paid off in the short term; Flagg turned the ball over twice in the final 12 seconds, in consecutive possessions, at the end of Duke's defeat to Kentucky in the Champions Classic in November, and scored 13 points in the three-point loss to Kansas at the Las Vegas Showdown, but the responsibility placed on him should be valuable.

"It seems like Duke coach Jon Scheyer has intentionally put him in situations where it's like, 'OK, go, get a bucket,'" said a Western Conference executive. "Primary creation doesn't seem to be there for him yet. There are hopes he can be a focal point scorer. He seems to have the vision and the pass, but individual scoring needs to improve."

Another NBA scout pointed out that teams should not rely on Flagg to be the primary shot creator for himself and others all the time but that he could be an excellent secondary option. "Maybe they're hoping for that, but it's more realistic that he becomes a 20-point per game scorer at the very least. He's really going to impact the game and fill up the stat sheet despite everything."

The Eastern Conference general manager was not sure if Flagg would become a franchise player number 1 on a championship team but believed that adding strength to his 93 kilograms would help a lot. "Once he gets stronger, the rest of his game will open up. I mean, if he's your third guy, you're still really good."

Another Eastern Conference general manager said he doesn't know if Flagg could be a franchise player number 1 on a championship team. "I can't say that right now. But I mean, if he's your third guy, you're still very good."

Scouts see Flagg as an excellent transition player, offensive rebounder, and finisher, capable of influencing the game even when plays are not designed for him. Although his 3-point range is inconsistent, Flagg has shown a level of comfort in hitting his mid-range jump shot, as in Duke's recent 84-78 victory against Auburn. Against the Tigers, Flagg scored 22 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and shot 7 of 14 on 2-pointers.

The Attack, a Question Mark for Cooper Flagg

Teams are keeping the initial issues in perspective as Flagg is one of the youngest players in college basketball, and facing defenses often comprised of older players trying to stop him every night is the toughest test he has faced. As Duke enters the thick of its conference play, he might be more pressured to take over as a scorer.

"What I like about Flagg's shot is that he has enough confidence to get to something, whether it be shots off the dribble or jumps from the post," said a Western Conference scout. "He doesn't act like he's not a shooter. It's that level of confidence - if he needs to change the mechanics, great, but if he needs to develop the mechanics and also the mindset, that gives me more pause."

Another factor at play, according to our panel of executives, is where Flagg will land in the NBA. It was noted that top players typically receive investments from their teams to succeed, something teams can address in the roster. Over the summer, the Detroit Pistons hired esteemed shooting coach Fred Vinson from the New Orleans Pelicans to work with their talented but shooting-deficient young prospects.

The personnel surrounding Flagg will play a significant role in his career. If he goes to a team full of scorers, he might start in a secondary or tertiary role where he can focus his energy on defense. If he lands on a team ready to immediately give him the ball and let him work to correct his mistakes and be aggressive, his offensive production could soar, our panel noted. Another executive cited examples like shooting guard Devin Booker from the Phoenix Suns and forward Scottie Barnes from the Toronto Raptors, who were not standout scorers in their college days but excelled in the NBA when given opportunities.

"Maybe it's naive to ask this, but does he go to an NBA team and say, 'Screw it, I'm going to be the alpha of my team' and in the second year, average 20? Or does he settle for sharing the ball and being an elite player, the second-best player?".

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La parcela ofensiva, el gran interrogante en la futura carrera NBA de Cooper Flagg