Cooper Flagg has long been seen as the crown jewel of the 2025 NBA Draft class, and after a spectacular freshman season at Duke, the intrigue surrounding his next destination is reaching a fever pitch. With his college career likely wrapped after just one electrifying year in Durham, NBA teams are jockeying for position to land the versatile forward, who combines elite athleticism, defensive intensity, and advanced basketball IQ rarely seen in a player his age.
Flagg, who turned 18 in December, arrived at Duke with the kind of expectations reserved only for generational prospects. A consensus No. 1 recruit coming out of Montverde Academy, the Maine native reclassified from the 2026 class and joined the Blue Devils a year early, immediately becoming the centerpiece of head coach Jon Scheyer’s lineup. From the first tip of the season, Flagg looked the part—not just as a promising young player, but as a bona fide star ready for the biggest stages.
Over the course of the season, Flagg averaged 18.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game, earning ACC Player of the Year honors and leading Duke to a deep NCAA Tournament run. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, often within the same sequence, made him must-see television. Whether it was a chase-down block, a coast-to-coast finish, or a no-look dime in transition, Flagg constantly reminded everyone why scouts had been drooling over his game since he was a sophomore in high school.
Now, with the NBA Draft lottery approaching and the league’s bottom dwellers finalizing their scouting reports, Flagg’s potential landing spot is beginning to take shape. According to multiple reports, including updated draft boards from ESPN, The Athletic, and Bleacher Report, Flagg remains the consensus No. 1 overall prospect, and several teams are already preparing their rosters and front office strategies with the assumption that he could be their franchise-altering piece.
Among the teams most frequently linked to Flagg are the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and San Antonio Spurs—each of whom finished near the bottom of the NBA standings and are expected to have high lottery odds. While the final draft order won’t be set until the lottery in May, league insiders have already begun projecting fits and forecasting how Flagg’s unique skill set would translate in each potential destination.
The Wizards, currently in the midst of a full-scale rebuild, would be a fascinating fit. With young guards like Jordan Poole and rookie Bilal Coulibaly showing flashes, Washington is in desperate need of a two-way star who can anchor a defense and elevate the entire roster. Flagg’s high motor and ability to guard multiple positions would give the Wizards an identity they’ve lacked for years. Team sources have reportedly already begun internal evaluations of how Flagg could pair with Coulibaly on the wing, envisioning a dynamic defensive tandem with sky-high upside.
Detroit, meanwhile, has been stockpiling young talent for several years but has yet to find the player who can fully unlock the roster’s potential. Cade Cunningham remains the face of the franchise, but the Pistons’ frontcourt has lacked a consistent presence. Enter Flagg, whose ability to stretch the floor, crash the glass, and defend the rim could make him an ideal complement to Detroit’s current core. The idea of Cunningham feeding Flagg in the open court, with Jaden Ivey slashing on the weak side, has sparked considerable buzz in Pistons circles.
But perhaps the most intriguing—and potentially terrifying—possibility is Flagg landing in San Antonio alongside Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs already have a once-in-a-generation talent in the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama, who just completed a sensational rookie season. Adding Flagg to that equation would give the Spurs two of the most versatile and impactful young defenders the league has seen in decades. Flagg’s perimeter mobility and help-side instincts would allow San Antonio to deploy switch-heavy schemes that could completely smother opposing offenses.
More than just his basketball skills, NBA executives are reportedly enamored with Flagg’s maturity, work ethic, and approach to the game. Known for his no-nonsense demeanor and intense focus, Flagg has drawn comparisons to some of the league’s most respected veterans. One anonymous GM told ESPN that Flagg “reminds me of Tim Duncan in terms of temperament—serious, focused, completely committed to winning. He’s not here for the glitz, he’s here to work and dominate.”
This attitude was evident during his time at Duke. Flagg not only embraced the pressure of being the focal point of one of college basketball’s most storied programs, but he also raised the bar for his teammates. Throughout the season, Scheyer frequently praised Flagg’s leadership, calling him “wise beyond his years” and “the kind of player who makes everyone around him better, even off the court.”
Flagg’s impact on Duke basketball is already being felt in recruiting as well. Several top high school players in the 2025 and 2026 classes have cited Flagg’s commitment and performance as a major influence on their perception of the program. Even NBA scouts have commented that Flagg has single-handedly restored the Blue Devils’ image as a factory for pro-ready talent, following a few years of uncertainty after Coach K’s retirement.
As for Flagg himself, he has remained typically reserved about his NBA future. When asked after Duke’s Sweet 16 loss whether he had made a decision about declaring for the draft, he simply said, “I’m focused on finishing this season the right way with my brothers. Everything else will take care of itself.” Nonetheless, sources close to Flagg have indicated that he is expected to enter the draft, with an official announcement likely coming shortly after the NCAA championship game.
With the draft just a few months away, speculation about Flagg’s fit at the next level will only intensify. Some analysts have compared his game to a hybrid of Andrei Kirilenko and Scottie Pippen, citing his defensive instincts and versatility. Others have gone even further, suggesting that he could eventually develop into a Luka Dončić-like offensive hub if given the right developmental path.
Of course, lofty comparisons come with even loftier expectations. But Flagg appears uniquely equipped to handle that pressure. His time at Duke served as a trial run for the kind of scrutiny he will face as a top draft pick, and if his freshman campaign is any indication, he will rise to the challenge.
One key element that could influence Flagg’s transition to the NBA is the front office and coaching situation of whichever team lands him. Developmental infrastructure matters—especially for players with as much raw potential as Flagg. Teams that can surround him with veterans, invest in player development staff, and give him the freedom to grow will have the best chance of unlocking his ceiling.
As the NBA regular season concludes and lottery odds are finalized, the league’s eyes will turn toward Chicago, where the draft lottery will determine who gets the chance to select a player many believe could be a franchise cornerstone for the next decade. For now, Flagg waits in the wings—still just a teenager, but already carrying the weight of a league’s future on his shoulders.
In a draft class that may contain other talented prospects—like French guard Nolan Traoré, USC’s Isaiah Collier, or Colorado’s Cody Williams—none have consistently commanded the attention and universal admiration that Flagg has. His blend of production, potential, and personality makes him a rare commodity in today’s NBA landscape.
The only question left is where he’ll land—and how quickly he’ll start changing the trajectory of an NBA franchise.