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Cooper Flagg made it official. After one incredible season with the Duke Blue Devils, he has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. The announcement came on April 21 through his Instagram page. Most people figured this was going to happen, but now it is real. Flagg had one of the best freshman seasons in college basketball history, and now he is ready to take that next step. All signs point toward him being the number one overall pick.
Flagg’s Freshman Year Was Something Else
From the start of the season, Cooper Flagg looked different. He did not just play well. He played like someone who already belonged in the pros. He finished the year averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. He was the first player ever at Duke to lead the team in all five of those categories in a single season. That has never happened before. Not even with all the legends who came through that program.
His game against Notre Dame turned heads. He scored 42 points and pretty much took over. Then, in the Final Four, when the lights were brightest, he dropped 27 points on Houston. He did not disappear like some stars do under pressure. Instead, he looked more locked in. That is part of why people are so high on him.
Flagg did not leave college empty-handed either. He won the John R. Wooden Award, the Naismith Player of the Year, and both ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year. That is a clean sweep.
What Happens Next In the Draft
The NBA Draft Lottery is set for May 12. The Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets all have the best chance at landing the top pick, each sitting at 14 percent. Whoever gets that No. 1 pick will probably take Flagg. It seems like a done deal.
He still technically has until May 28 to back out of the draft if he wants to return to college, but that does not look likely. Everything about this move feels permanent. Scouts are already comparing him to elite NBA forwards. Some say he has the vision of a point guard and the body of a forward. He checks a bunch of boxes. The draft will be held June 25 in Brooklyn. It is expected that Flagg will be front and center.
Cooper Flagg To the NBA
Flagg declaring for the draft is no shock. Everyone who watched him this year saw it coming. He has the stats, the awards, and the presence of a future NBA star. Whether he ends up in Utah, Washington, or Charlotte, he is going to change the direction of whichever team picks him. It is just the beginning, but it already feels like the NBA is getting something special.
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Stephanie White Puts Indiana Fever Players on Notice Despite Win Against Aces
The Indiana Fever’s starters turned in a strong all-around effort in Thursday’s 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. The starting unit scored at least 13 points each, save for Aari McDonald, who registered nine points in 22 minutes of action. Indiana’s starters combined for 76 out of the team’s 80 points on the evening, which only means that the four other players who came off the bench accounted for just four points in the game. All that came from Sydney Colson, who went 2-of-5 in 18 minutes of playing time. Lexie Hull, Makayla Timpson and Damiris Dantas all failed to score in the win. Stephanie White Calls Out Fever's Bench Be that as it may, offense wasn’t even the biggest concern for head coach Stephanie White. In her postgame press conference, the veteran shot-caller called out Indiana’s bench for their lack of intensity on the defensive end, particularly in the first half. “Our bench has to be ready,” she said. “I felt like our bench in the second half was really good defensively. In the first half, I didn't feel that way. You got to be ready to come in and you got to be ready to guard your matchup and execute the game plan. "We have depth for a reason. We've got quality depth and we've got to be able to use it. So if fatigue is a factor in execution, then they just need to ask for a sub and I'll get them out and get them back in." It has been a bit of a busy stretch for the Fever at the midway point of the season. Thursday’s matchup against the Aces was their second game in three nights, and they will be back in action again on Sunday in a rivalry showdown against the Chicago Sky. White, however, isn’t accepting fatigue as an excuse. This is regardless of the fact that Caitlin Clark remains out with a re-aggravated groin injury. White is adamant that this roster has been built for adversity, and she didn’t hesitate to put her bench on notice after Thursday’s showing.
Yankees maintain interest in acquiring another Rockies player
After already dealing Ryan McMahon to the Yankees, the Rockies are open for business heading into Thursday’s deadline as one of the few true sellers on the market. Another trade with the Yankees could be a possibility, as The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty reports that New York has interest in Colorado reliever Jake Bird among many other names on the bullpen market. Bird’s first three Major League seasons (2022-24) saw the right-hander post a 4.53 ERA, 19.3% strikeout rate, and 9.7% walk rate across 177 innings for the Rockies, all in a relief capacity apart from three pseudo-starts as an opener. His 4.05 ERA and 9.1% walk rate in 53 1/3 innings in 2025 are pretty comparable, but the big difference is a strikeout rate that has leapt up to 26.7%. Above-average whiff and chase rates support the increase in missed bats, and Bird’s solid barrel and grounder rates have also helped him limit damage at Coors Field. Interestingly, Bird’s home/road splits this year are actually much better in Denver (2.48 ERA in 29 innings) than away from home (5.92 ERA in 24 1/3 innings). A 3.19 SIERA paints an even more flattering picture of Bird’s improved performance, as a .352 BABIP has inflated the reliever’s ERA. Adopting the sweeper as his primary pitch seemed to have unlocked both Bird’s strikeout ability, and it has helped his curveball regain its 2023 status as a plus offering. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake is a known proponent of the sweeper, which likely adds to New York’s interest in the Rox reliever. Bird will reach arbitration eligibility for the first time this winter, so he is controlled through the 2028 season. The Rockies are also reportedly open to offers on two other controllable relievers in Victor Vodnik and Seth Halvorsen, as Colorado’s willingness to take a broader approach to the deadline represents a change in direction for the organization. The Rockies had been traditionally wary about even moving pending free agents at the deadline, yet the new low of the team’s dreadful 27-78 record seems to have convinced the organization that larger changes are necessary. Even controllable relief pitching only has so much present value to a team that may be years away from contending, so it makes sense for the Rox to consider moving some of their bullpen arms. Given the natural volatility of relief pitching and Bird’s lack of a track record, selling high on his current success might well be a wise move for GM Bill Schmidt. Beyond the bullpen arms, Colorado is getting hits on other players on the roster. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand writes that Hunter Goodman, Brenton Doyle, Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber are all getting varying degrees of trade attention, though it is very unlikely that Goodman or Doyle are moved. Goodman is enjoying a breakout season that resulted in an All-Star citation. Doyle is struggling through a rough year that has seen his bat and center field glovework both take big steps backwards from 2024, but the Rockies don’t seem likely to sell low. Goodman and Doyle are both controlled through the 2028 season, whereas Gomber is an impending free agent and Freeland is under contract through the 2026 campaign. Freeland is owed around $5.33M for the remainder of this season and then $16M in 2026, with a $17M vesting player option available for 2027 if Freeland tosses at least 170 innings next year. This price tag makes it pretty unlikely that Freeland will be dealt, unless Colorado was to eat most or all of that remaining salary. The southpaw has a 5.24 ERA over 101 1/3 innings in 2025, and a 5.03 ERA in 840 2/3 frames since Opening Day 2019. Because Freeland has spent his entire career in Denver’s thin air, there’s a bit of an X factor in gauging how well he could perform outside of such a hitter-friendly environment, even if his lifetime splits aren’t too drastic (4.85 ERA at home, 4.24 ERA on the road). Rival teams might not be intrigued enough by this potential upside to the take the plunge on a trade unless the Rockies indeed covered a lot of Freeland’s salary, which might not make it worth it for a Rox team that still needs someone to eat innings. Gomber is much less expensive and a rental player, so a rival team might have more willingness to take a flier on the southpaw as a depth arm. Feinsand notes Gomber’s superior road splits to his work at Coors Field, but the overall results haven’t been great, as Gomber has a 5.14 ERA in 578 1/3 innings since joining the Rockies prior to the 2021 season. That includes a 6.03 ERA in seven starts and 34 1/3 frames this year, as shoulder problems kept Gomber off the mound until mid-June.
Green Bay Packers Isaiah Simmons Showing Why He Was A Top 10 Pick In Training Camp
The Green Bay Packers may have struck gold with their offseason acquisition of Isaiah Simmons. The former first-round pick has wasted no time making an impression during training camp, showcasing the athleticism and versatility that once made him one of the most coveted prospects in the NFL Draft. With just a few practices under his belt, Simmons is already turning heads and making the New York Giants question their decision to let him walk. Green Bay Packers Isaiah Simmons’ Early Impact Isaiah Simmons has been a standout in the first week of Packers training camp, stepping up as the team’s third linebacker while Quay Walker recovers from offseason ankle surgery. On the opening day of practice, Simmons made several eye-catching plays, including a highlight moment where he shut down Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs on a screen pass. Jacobs, clearly impressed, described Simmons as “a unicorn,” adding, “He can run. We can put him out on guys in the slot, and he can cover guys. Really, man, I can’t wait to see him in pads.” The following day, Simmons continued to impress, tipping a pass from Malik Willis that led to an interception by cornerback Carrington Valentine. Head coach Matt LaFleur was quick to praise Simmons, saying, “There’s a reason he was a top-10 pick. He’s got all the measurables, and it’s just getting him acclimated with our system and knowing what he can do.” Simmons himself has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to focus on a more defined role as an off-the-ball linebacker, a departure from the hybrid responsibilities he juggled with the Cardinals and Giants. “I feel like it’s been beneficial to me so far, just allowing me to really learn one thing as opposed to learning this today, something else tomorrow, and who knows the next day,” Simmons said. NFL and College Career Simmons entered the NFL as the eighth overall pick in the 2020 Draft, selected by the Arizona Cardinals after a stellar career at Clemson. In college, Simmons was a do-it-all defender, recording 104 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three interceptions in his final season. His unique blend of size, speed, and versatility earned him the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and made him a consensus All-American. In the NFL, Simmons has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. His best season came in 2021 with the Cardinals, when he recorded 105 tackles, four forced fumbles, and an interception. However, his performance dipped in subsequent years, including a disappointing 2024 campaign with the Giants, where he earned a career-low Pro Football Focus grade of 45.6. Despite these setbacks, Simmons’ physical tools and potential remain undeniable. What Simmons Brings to the Packers The Green Bay Packers are hoping to unlock Simmons’ full potential by simplifying his role and allowing him to focus on his strengths. At 6’4″ and 238 pounds, Simmons has the size to take on blockers and the speed to cover tight ends and running backs. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways could make him a valuable asset in defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme. Simmons’ addition also bolsters a Packers linebacker group that includes Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker. With Walker sidelined, Simmons has an opportunity to carve out a significant role and prove he can be a difference-maker for Green Bay. Teammates and Coaches See the Potential Simmons’ early performances have drawn praise not just from LaFleur and Jacobs but also from his new teammates. Safety Xavier McKinney, who played with Simmons in New York and reportedly advocated for his signing, has been vocal about his belief in Simmons’ abilities. “He’s got everything you want in a player—size, speed, instincts. I think he’s going to thrive here,” McKinney said. Final Thoughts Isaiah Simmons’ journey has been anything but smooth, but his early success in Packers training camp suggests he may have found the right fit in Green Bay. With his unique skill set and a coaching staff committed to putting him in positions to succeed, Simmons has a chance to rewrite the narrative of his NFL career. If his first few practices are any indication, the Green Bay Packers may have landed a game-changing talent—and the Giants may soon regret letting him go.
Warriors eyeing superstar in blockbuster trade, explains why Golden State has moved slowly with Jonathan Kuminga
The Golden State Warriors are yet to reach a resolution with Jonathan Kuminga this summer, and they seem to be biding their time for a superstar, should he be made available. The Golden State Warriors are yet to make any sort of move this offseason, despite being linked to both Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton. Priority number one seems to be figuring out the Jonathan Kuminga situation. He is a restricted free agent, and the Warriors have extended a qualifying offer, keeping him on the books for another season unless he is moved in a sign-and-trade, which seems to be a very real possibility. Kuminga and the Warriors seem to be on the outs, with both parties preferring him to play elsewhere this season, although it could benefit both of them for him to sign a longer deal with Golden State. Warriors would prefer to sign Kuminga to longer deal If Kuminga returns to Golden State on the one-year qualifying offer, he will make $7.9 million next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. As a free agent, he should be able to sign a lucrative deal next summer, but that means spending another year in Golden State, which he doesn’t want to do. On top of that, if he gets injured this season, there is no guarantee that his next contract will be maximized, so there is some risk involved. It seems counter-intuitive for him to sign a big deal with the Warriors, although committing–on paper at least–to the Dubs long term could work out for him. If he signs a new deal, he has to wait three months before being traded, although he will likely have more suitors than he would if he was simply playing on a one-year rental contract. For both the Warriors and Kuminga, signing him for three or four years not only would make him more guaranteed money, but it makes him easier to move. With Kuminga signed to a whole new contract, the Warriors can set their sights on a prized trade target. Kuminga could be centerpiece of Giannis Antetokounmpo trade Giannis Antetokounmpo has yet to demand a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks, but if the Doc Rivers-led team falls flat, even with Myles Turner in town, it stands to reason that the Bucks will have to have a difficult talk next summer. A fourth first-round exit in a row in 2026 would likely spell the end of the Giannis era in Milwaukee, and the Warriors, as well as the rest of the league, are gearing up to add him. With Kuminga signed to a longer deal, the Warriors can include him as a key part of a possible trade package. “There’s another reason why the Warriors don’t want to give Kuminga away for less than his full trade value: Like every other smart team, they’re trying to maintain every asset they’ve got so they’re ready once and if the Giannis Antetokounmpo market heats up,” wrote The San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami. “If you’re looking to build a trade around a young player who could step right into a barren roster and give a transitioning team a burst of energy … well, I think the Warriors might have a candidate to bring up if Milwaukee ever asks. That is, if the Warriors and Kuminga can agree on a solid deal this summer.” It will take a lot more than Kuminga to land Antetokounmpo, although the Warriors could toss in Moses Moody, who was extended last summer, as well as up to three first-round picks and multiple pick swaps, possibly enough to get a deal done for a new franchise centerpiece to build around.
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