All eyes are on 2025 NBA Draft prospect and projected number one pick Cooper Flagg ahead of a key date on the NBA calendar. Following Duke's upset loss to the Houston Cougars in the Final Four, Flagg has played coy about his future.
He has previously suggested that he could return and play another season at Duke. Despite that, it could be risky with him expected to be the first overall pick this year.
Given his talent level, it's possible he can be the number one pick in 2026 too, but that draft already features three top-tier prospects in Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, and Cam Boozer. Bad NBA teams would definitely benefit from a stacked 2026 draft.
Nevertheless, franchises such as the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and New Orleans Hornets would love for him to come out this year instead. That makes the decision he will have to make harder.
All eyes are on Cooper Flagg to see whether he will declare for the 2025 NBA Draft or stay at Duke.
The deadline for Flagg to declare for the draft is April 26th, less than a week away. That is the deadline for underclassmen to declare, which would apply to Flagg, considering that he was a freshman this year at Duke. In years past, it would have been a no-brainer for a projected top overall pick to declare for the draft, considering the money at stake.
That is less so the case now, thanks to NIL money allowing college players to make money on their image and likeness. Flagg is already making $12 million while playing college ball. Be that as it may, the salary for being the number one overall pick is $12.5 million.
Not just that, but with Flagg being one of the youngest draft prospects in NBA history, he can reach his second contract at the age of just 22. If he lives up to expectations, he could potentially command 30% of a salary cap that could be well on its way to $200 million in 2029.
All told, Cooper will soon have to decide whether he will stay at Duke or declare for the NBA Draft. In years past, it would have been an easy decision, but the increased revenue that NIL provides has made staying in college more competitive. Even so, Flagg appears likely to declare for the draft.