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The Rich Getting Richer?: Boston Celtics Emerge As Possible Cooper Flagg Destination Under 1 Specific Circumstance

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Christian Alamodin | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 8:14 AM ET

Boston Celtics fans usually don’t care about the NBA Draft and anything close to that. After all, they’re usually too good to get a lottery pick.

They already have their superstar combo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. They have one of the deepest rosters in the league, and every position has a capable player who can play big at any moment. They also have one of the best tacticians in the league, Joe Mazzulla, leading from the sidelines.

With such a loaded squad, it makes sense that they aren’t a possible destination for a talented prospect. The idea betrays everything the draft stands for in the NBA and other major American sports leagues.

However, the C’s may find themselves in an interesting position to grab one of the most talented players in recent memory. However, it would only be possible if the fates let it happen.

The Boston Celtics may bag Cooper Flagg if he decides to stay with Duke for one more year

Duke Blue Devils: Analyst Makes 1 HUGE Declaration About Cooper Flagg's Debut NCAA Season 5 Mar 13, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) has his shot blocked by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets forward Baye Ndongo (11) in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

A player as talented as Cooper Flagg is usually expected to forego his remaining years of eligibility and declare for the pros. The talented 18-year-old is already one of the most impressive prospects have seen in a while, boasting an incredible all-around game that makes him an intriguing player to build around.

However, things may have taken an interesting turn after Flagg effectively declared that he’s not over his collegiate days just yet. Not only did Duke’s Final Four loss affect the narratives surrounding him, but it also made him rethink what truly matters for his career.

If Flagg does decide to run it back in Durham, the Boston Celtics suddenly get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to keep the Newport, ME player close to home.

Heavy Sports’ Jonathan Vankin explains how Boston could bag Flagg if he does stick to NCAA basketball for one more year:

The Celtics own first round picks in both 2025 and 2026, as well one 2025 second-rounder and two next year — as well as first-rounders in 2027, 2028, 2030 and 2031. Along with the need to shed salary to get themselves under the salary cap’s second apron, the Celtics have plenty of assets to trade and a strong incentive to trade them.

If Cooper Flagg stays in college for one more year, whichever team gets the first pick in the 2026 draft will be offered an insane offer by the Boston Celtics for a chance to get him. Whether the rest of the league will allow such a trade to happen is unlikely. The idea of having Flagg play with Tatum and Brown is enough to give the rest of the Eastern Conference nightmares for years to come.

but it does present the opportunity for the Celtics to get a hometown favorite in their ranks.

The Rich Getting Richer?: Boston Celtics Emerge As Possible Cooper Flagg Destination Under 1 Specific Circumstance 6 Mar 8, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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