The 2025 NBA Draft is filled with generational talent, headlined by Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Ace Bailey. Flagg is generally seen as the top talent, but now people are taking Bailey’s side. Philadelphia 76ers superstar forward Paul George said on his podcast that he thinks Bailey will actually end up a better player than Flagg in the long run. 

“I think Ace Bailey can scratch a little bit more off of his surface than Cooper Flagg can,” George stated, “Which I think both will be All-Stars, both will be superstars once they develop and get to the NBA. I think both will be superstars. I think those two will definitely be the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird comparison in terms of similar body types and the parity between those two. But I’m going to go with Ace Bailey.”

George continued, explaining his reasoning for taking Bailey over Flagg. 

“I think that Ace Bailey should be seriously considered by NBA general managers, and here’s why. While Cooper Flagg maybe has the higher floor, I think that Ace Bailey has the higher ceiling as a scorer,” George revealed. “It wouldn’t surprise me at all in a couple years in a couple years if Ace Bailey is averaging 25-30 points per game as a scorer. He’s that talented offensively.”

Both Flagg and Bailey are top scorers in the NCAA, with them averaging 19.5 points and 18.6 points respectively. So it seems like Flagg is barely a better scorer now, but they still have full careers ahead of them.

The 76ers are currently 20-37, and in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. Due to their standing, they might fully commit to the tank, and either draft Flagg or Bailey. If they do, getting either would be great, but it seems George thinks getting Bailey would be better.

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