Cooper Flagg isn’t just the top prospect in the upcoming NBA Draft, he’s expected to be the only name at the top. Despite Duke’s tough Final Four loss to Houston, Flagg’s dominant freshman season left no doubt. He’s the clear-cut No. 1 pick, and no one else is even close.
According to Bleacher Report’s NBA Daily, no other player in the tournament came near Flagg’s level. Right now, Bleacher Report projects the Utah Jazz to land the top pick. But that hasn’t stopped teams from exploring what it might take to trade up.
The idea of grabbing a generational talent like Flagg is so tempting that “Godfather offers” are already in play.
Teams like the Thunder, Spurs, Rockets, Pelicans, and Hornets have all been floated as possible suitors, per analyst Three Cone.
Cooper Flagg is the crown jewel of this draft. Whether he ends up in Utah or elsewhere, the NBA is ready for his arrival, and his pro journey is already one of the league’s biggest stories.
The unlikely scenario of Cooper Flagg returning to Duke
Duke fans may cling to a glimmer of hope, but Cooper Flagg returning for the 2025–26 season isn’t happening. ESPN’s Jay Williams shut the door on that idea during The Pat McAfee Show:
“As much as I wish that was the case, I just can’t see it,” Williams said. “I mean, first off, any team that’s going to be up in the lottery is going to suck. That’s why they’re in the lottery.”
"I just can't see Cooper Flagg staying at Duke..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 7, 2025
Think about how many max contracts he can get and I imagine he would be trying to start that process as soon as possible" ~ @RealJayWilliams #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/eR4RuVHJQm
Not even a massive NIL offer from Duke would likely change Flagg’s mind. He’s expected to go No. 1 in the NBA Draft, and the financial upside is too big to ignore. As Williams explained, entering the league now gives Flagg a head start on multiple max contracts. The earlier he starts, the more he can earn in his prime.
For top prospects like Flagg, staying in college just doesn’t make sense. History shows that once players reach that level, they don’t look back. And with lottery teams desperate for talent, Flagg is all but guaranteed immediate minutes and room to grow in the NBA.
When asked about returning, Flagg gave a diplomatic answer:
“Listen I’m just living in the moment,” he said. “I’m going day by day with this team.”
Cooper Flagg’s Final Four run may have ended in heartbreak, but the next chapter is already written. Barring a shocker, he will be the first name off the board on draft night.
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I am a writer passionate about telling the stories behind the game of basketball. From the culture and personalities shaping the sport to the moments that define it, I explore basketball beyond the box score.
