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Chris Paul Sends Clear Cooper Flagg Message

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gautam Varier | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 3:35 PM ET

Cooper Flagg appears set to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. Flagg is one of the most hyped American prospects to enter the NBA in recent history, as he followed up his stellar high school career by impressing in his only season at Duke.

Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game for the Blue Devils as a freshman. The 18-year-old was the consensus National Player of the Year and became just the fourth freshman to win the Wooden Award.

Flagg impressed one and all with his play and now appears headed to Dallas.

The Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, and there has been no indication so far that they're going to part with that first pick. Flagg is very likely going to be a Maverick, and if Chris Paul's recent comments are anything to go by, their fans should be very excited.

Paul appeared on the latest episode of "The Pat McAfee Show," where he revealed he has been in the gym with Flagg a few times in Los Angeles. The 40-year-old made it clear that all the hype is justified.

"I'm in LA right now and Cooper Flagg is out there..

I've been in the gym with him a couple times and he's as advertised..

The Mavs getting the number one pick is crazy"@CP3 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/tzeWIJEAgj
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 5, 2025

Paul played for the San Antonio Spurs this season, and all the players got excited when the team jumped into the top four in the lottery. The Spurs ended up getting the second pick, though, to just miss out on the chance to draft Flagg.

As for Paul, it remains to be seen if he'll get an opportunity to play with or against Flagg in the NBA. He has just completed his 20th season in the league and has not yet confirmed whether he'll be returning for another.

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

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