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DeMarcus Cousins: Draft Ace Bailey No. 1 over Cooper Flagg

Originally posted on Ball Exclusives | By Titan Frey | Last updated May 20, 2025 5:32 PM ET

Duke standout, Cooper Flagg, is a no-brainer for the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Right?

According to most people, this would be true. If you ask former NBA player, DeMarcus Cousins, there’s another player who should be drafted first overall.

Flagg had a great season at Duke. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Despite these great numbers, Cousins believes the top pick should be Airious “Ace” Bailey from Rutgers University.

Boogie Cousins would pick Ace Bailey over Cooper Flagg with the #1 pick in the NBA Draft

"He's the closest thing we've seen to Tracy McGrady."@boogiecousins | @GeorgesNiang20 | @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/G9yEyrDxpY

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 20, 2025

Cousins believes Bailey is the closest player we’ve seen to Tracy McGrady, and this is why the Mavs should draft Bailey over Flagg. This is a huge compliment—to be compared to McGrady—but is it true?

Bailey had a great season, putting up averages of 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. As a 6’10” guard that can shoot, he certainly could be the next McGrady in the NBA.

Still, Flagg has all the hype in the world and likely a brighter upside. If the Mavericks draft Bailey over Flagg, GM Nico Harrison may likely be chased out of town.

This article first appeared on Ball Exclusives and was syndicated with permission.

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