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Duke's Cooper Flagg Predicted to Join $128 Million Star on Six-Win NBA Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan Adams | Last updated Feb 1, 2025 4:58 PM ET

Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg is focused on attempting to win a national title, but the guard's NBA draft stock is soaring. Flagg is the early favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The guard is averaging 19.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 32.9% from long range in his first 20 college basketball appearances. Flagg could have his work cut out for him with his potential landing spot if the latest NBA predictions come true.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo's mock draft project that Flagg will be the No. 1 pick selected by the Washington Wizards. The 6-41 Wizards are losing their way to sharing the best odds to land the top selection.

"The Wizards would be thrilled to add a talent such as Flagg to their young core, forming a dynamic defensive duo with Alexandre Sarr, last year's No. 2 pick," Givony and Woo wrote on Jan. 9. "Flagg has been as good as advertised and appears to be hitting his stride.

"This is the best group of prospects I've seen in my 20 years of covering the draft."

—@DraftExpress on Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey and the 2025 NBA draft class pic.twitter.com/b7Ht1JEyuq
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 4, 2024

"In the past month, he has been making jumpers and free throws more consistently while showing off his passing, finishing and defensive versatility with his outstanding intensity and feel for the game."

The Wizards are lacking in the star power department. Guard Jordan Poole is arguably Washington's best player, but his transition from the Golden State Warriors has not exactly been smooth.

42-point explosion for Cooper Flagg vs Notre Dame, to go along with 7 assists and 6 rebounds. The projected No. 1 pick showed all of his offensive talent making four 3s and 16/17 free throws with all the other things he does to impact winning. pic.twitter.com/LE81Tu8ujg
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 11, 2025

Poole's four-year, $128 million contract is slated to go through the 2026-27 NBA season. The veteran would undoubtedly be helped by playing alongside Flagg.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper is widely viewed as the top contender competing with Flagg to be the No. 1 pick in June's draft.

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

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