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Cooper Flagg’s Insane Projected Salary Emerges Before NBA Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Beren | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 11:56 AM ET

When the 2025 NBA Draft tips off on Wednesday night, it is widely expected that the first name out of commissioner Adam Silver's mouth will be that of Cooper Flagg, the Duke phenom who is set to be selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks.

It may not happen during his rookie season, but Flagg is poised to take up the mantle once held by Mavericks greats before him. It is expected that Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward with dynamic game-breaking ability, will become the Mavs' next franchise player and begin a new era in Dallas following February's shocking Luka Doncic trade.

If Flagg fulfills his potential as a superstar player and an annual All-NBA selection, then he stands to make close to $1 billion by the time he is 31 years old, according to Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac.

If Cooper Flagg is a superstar, the financial path forward is wild.

Rookie Contract
2025-2028: $62.7M

30% Supermax Extension
2029-2033: $359M

35% Supermax Extension
2034-2038: $509M

Total: $930M, and Flagg will be 31-years-old!
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 25, 2025

Once the Mavericks select Flagg, the 18-year-old is expected to sign a four-year rookie contract worth $62.7 million. In 2029, a 22-year-old Flagg can sign a $359 million supermax contract starting at 30 percent of the Mavericks' salary cap. Then, beginning in 2034, Flagg could sign an extension worth more than $500 million and more than one-third of the cap.

To achieve this, Flagg would have to make an All-NBA team in two of the three seasons before the new contract kicks in. He can also secure the supermax by winning an MVP award at any time or a Defensive Player of the Year award in the preceding season.

Given Flagg's array of talents, it stands to reason that he will meet the supermax criteria fairly soon, and his NBA earnings could be pushing $1 billion shortly after he turns 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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