Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, much of the talk about the incoming class centers around Duke star Cooper Flagg. Flagg is seen by many around the NBA as the next generational star, and the league is eager to see what he can do.
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The Dallas Mavericks shockingly won the opportunity to take Flagg with the first overall pick. Due to the team looking to compete for a title next season, some around the league speculated on them potentially trading the pick.
The Mavericks could likely start a bidding war for the first overall pick, given the hype around Flagg. However, it seems that Dallas will indeed go after Flagg to add him to their roster.
But despite all the hype going toward the Duke star, one former NBA champion isn’t buying all the hype around Flagg. Former champion and Defensive Player of the Year Tony Allen doesn’t see Flagg dominating in the NBA.
“I don’t think Cooper Flagg going to turn your franchise around like that,” Allen said during a recent podcast from GrindCityMedia. “I’m serious. I ain’t seein’ KD. I’m just not seeing all that. I’m seeing (former Utah Jazz forward) Andrei Kirilenko. That’s who I’m seeing bro.”
“He going to be a one-time All-Star,” Allen said. “I don’t see it bro. (I’m) just not hyped on these Duke kids.”
If Flagg were to only make one All-Star team over the course of his career, it would certainly be shocking. Flagg is seen to resemble the next great player for the NBA, so the hope is that he can live up to the hype.
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Assuming that Flagg does get taken by the Mavericks, he will be entering a win-now situation. Playing alongside stars Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving should give him time to fully grow on the court.
For his lone year with Duke, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game. Flagg was able to overcome collegiate defenses fairly easily, and he will attempt to have his game translate to the NBA.
While it remains to be seen how his career will ultimately turn out, this take from Allen seems very bold.
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