For the next 5 years - Amen Thompson or Cooper Flagg

[Maxthirty]

Who would you rather have?

[Mr Puddles]

This is not particularly close IMO. Cooper Flagg is 4 years younger and with more upside.

[EmpireFalls]

Fooper Clagg is better than Thompson at literally every facet of basketball. While Amen is clearly the more explosive athlete, and there’s certainly value in that, Flagg’s athleticism is close enough that I’d pick him for overall value.

I’d say 25-27 Amen will be slightly better, then Flagg will surpass him.

[MrGoat]

If Amen could even shoot at all this would at least be close, but he hasn't shown that ability at all yet

[LAvision]

One can shoot, the other can’t. It’s really that simple.

[ImSlower]

I absolutely love Thompson's game, but this is a ridiculous thread.

[dballislife]

a better one would be flagg or the thompson twins?

[brackdan70]

For the next 5 I’d take Thompson. Next 10 Flagg.
Thompson will be in his prime at his best for the next 5 years. Flagg will still be developing.

[Cavsfansince84]

For the next 5 I’d take Thompson. Next 10 Flagg.
Thompson will be in his prime at his best for the next 5 years. Flagg will still be developing.

It's possible you are right but honestly I think Amen will peak at about a top 15-20 player. Cooper will prob be better than that by year 2 or 3.

[Kiss of Death]

I’ll take Amen.
Amen is already a DPOY level player.
Flagg hasn’t done anything in the NBA yet.

[Handlez]

Without playing a single game in his career, gotta go with Flagg.

His 3-15 preseason game really convinced me.

[ocelot17]

Read on Twitter

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[JRoy]

Fooper Clagg is better than Thompson at literally every facet of basketball. While Amen is clearly the more explosive athlete, and there’s certainly value in that, Flagg’s athleticism is close enough that I’d pick him for overall value.

I’d say 25-27 Amen will be slightly better, then Flagg will surpass him.

+1 for Fooper Clagg

[Sane]

The age factor makes this unfair. Of course you take Flagg who's 4 years younger.

If you asked who's better if you have them for the next 5 years and then you immediately lose them, I would say Amen of course. That's not fair either, he's in his 3rd year while Flagg is a rookie.

If you asked who I'd take as a rookie knowing what I know about Amen and Flagg right now, I'd take Amen of course. This is now 2 summers in a row his jumper has shown massive improvement so I'm not really worried about that gap as they're different players.

What I expect from Amen is essentially Jimmy Butler if he had a 7ft+ wingspan and was one of the most athletic players in NBA history. Same fire/competitiveness, same mindset on offense and defense. Got a little Derrick Rose in him too. I don't think Flagg will end up better than that as a two way player. Might end up a slightly better offensive player (points plus assists plus efficiency), but that will be a drop in the bucket compared to the gap on defense.

[Maxthirty]

The age factor makes this unfair. Of course you take Flagg who's 4 years younger.

If you asked who's better if you have them for the next 5 years and then you immediately lose them, I would say Amen of course. That's not fair either, he's in his 3rd year while Flagg is a rookie.

If you asked who I'd take as a rookie knowing what I know about Amen and Flagg right now, I'd take Amen of course. This is now 2 summers in a row his jumper has shown massive improvement so I'm not really worried about that gap as they're different players.

What I expect from Amen is essentially Jimmy Butler if he had a 7ft+ wingspan and was one of the most athletic players in NBA history. Same fire/competitiveness, same mindset on offense and defense. Got a little Derrick Rose in him too. I don't think Flagg will end up better than that as a two way player. Might end up a slightly better offensive player (points plus assists plus efficiency), but that will be a drop in the bucket compared to the gap on defense.

Wut?

[Mr Puddles]

Read on Twitter

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I was going to say Cooper Flagg, until you shared this meaty 6 shot sample size. This changes everything.

[giberish]

For the next 5 years and not considering anything after I'd take Thompson.

I'd expect Thompson to be significantly better this year, mildly better next year, about even for the 3rd and 4th years with Flagg having a clear edge by the 5th year. Overall that has Thompson giving more on-court value over the next five seasons.

[AbC?]

Flagg will be better by year 2

[Chokic]

Barring injury Cooper flagg easily.

[LarsV8]

Thompson has a pretty high floor, as he is already the best perimeter defender in the NBA. His early year 3 offense looks to be coming along quite nicely. If his three point shooting is real, as he is showing in preseason, we are looking at a devastatingly impactful player. He doesn't fit the mold of "best players" which is typically held by offensive oriented guys, so perception will always be working against him (we already have someone calling him a defensive role player LOL).

Less information available for Cooper, but he was certainly viewed as a better prospect. Will he reach the his expectations or will he be another Scoot / Zion / Oden? Too soon to tell.