Cooper Flagg’s Next Chapter: A Deep Dive into Potential Landing Spots

The buzz surrounding Duke freshman sensation Cooper Flagg has reached a fever pitch as the NBA draft lottery looms. Flagg, a do-it-all phenom who dominated college basketball in his lone season with the Blue Devils, is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, making him the centerpiece of numerous teams’ rebuilding aspirations. The lottery, scheduled for Monday, May 12th, at 7 p.m. ET, will determine which franchise gets the golden ticket to draft Flagg and potentially reshape their future.

Three teams stand out as frontrunners in the Flagg sweepstakes: the Utah Jazz, the Washington Wizards, and the Charlotte Hornets. All three franchises endured challenging seasons, finishing with some of the worst records in the league. This positions them with the highest odds of securing the coveted top pick. However, the draft lottery is inherently unpredictable, offering a glimmer of hope to teams further down the standings.

The Utah Jazz: Ainge’s Ambition

The Utah Jazz, led by seasoned front office veterans Danny Ainge and Justin Zanik, have never held the No. 1 overall pick in their franchise history. Acquiring Flagg would represent a monumental coup for the organization and a significant step toward contention. The Jazz’s brass is so eager to improve their draft positioning that co-owner Ashley Smith will attend the lottery as a good luck charm.

Utah (17-65) finished with the third-worst record, giving them a substantial chance to secure a top-four pick (52.1%). They can slide no lower than No. 5 in the draft. Landing Flagg would give them a true cornerstone talent to build around. Adding Flagg to an existing core of young players could accelerate their return to playoff contention.

The Washington Wizards: Echoes of Houston?

The Washington Wizards (18-64) have been mired in mediocrity for far too long, their last No. 1 pick coming in 2010. They are desperate to inject some star power into their roster. The Wizards’ front office envisions a future where Flagg anchors their lineup alongside promising youngsters like Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and Bub Carrington.

The Wizards, possessing the second-worst record, shares equal odds (52.1%) with Utah and Charlotte of claiming a top-four pick. They cannot draft any lower than No. 6. Their strategic vision extends beyond simply acquiring talent; they aspire to emulate the Houston Rockets’ model, building a competitive team through a combination of quality young players and savvy veteran acquisitions. Flagg fits perfectly into that mold, offering both immediate impact and long-term potential.

The Charlotte Hornets: A New Era

The Charlotte Hornets (19-63) are embarking on a new chapter under coach Charles Lee and executive vice president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson. The team has not selected first overall since taking Larry Johnson in 1991. Flagg would be the ideal player to invigorate the franchise and provide a focal point for their rebuilding efforts.

Charlotte possesses the best draft lottery odds (52.1%) alongside Utah and Washington of getting a top-four selection. The Hornets can’t drop lower than No. 7. With their current rebuilding efforts, securing Flagg would significantly fast-track their progress and provide fans with renewed hope for the future.

The Lottery’s Lurking Longshots

While the Jazz, Wizards, and Hornets have the most favorable odds, the NBA draft lottery is notorious for its unpredictability. A longshot team could defy the odds and leap into the top spot, potentially altering the entire trajectory of the draft.

The San Antonio Spurs, for example, could add another elite talent to a promising roster already headlined by Victor Wembanyama. Such a pairing would be a nightmare for opposing teams.

Teams such as Brooklyn, Toronto, Philadelphia, and New Orleans all need help, and a lottery win to secure the top pick and Flagg could significantly accelerate their rebuild or propel them into title contention. These teams will be eagerly watching the ping-pong balls bounce on lottery night.

The Cooper Flagg Profile: A Game-Changer

Cooper Flagg is no ordinary prospect. His versatility, athleticism, and basketball IQ have scouts drooling. In his freshman season at Duke, Flagg led the Blue Devils in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals, showcasing his all-around dominance.

Flagg is known for his outstanding footwork in the low post. He can finish with either hand around the basket. He is adept at running plays, hitting catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, and providing help-side defense. He is also a physical player who initiates contact and plays with force.

Flagg’s statistics speak volumes: 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, shooting 48.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc, and 84% from the free-throw line.

The Draft Lottery Process: A Game of Chance

The NBA draft lottery is a meticulously orchestrated event designed to ensure fairness and transparency. Fourteen ping-pong balls, numbered 1 through 14, are placed in a lottery machine. Each team is assigned a specific number of combinations out of 1,001 possible combinations.

During the lottery drawing, four balls are selected sequentially, and the team assigned the corresponding combination receives the No. 1 pick. The process is repeated for the second, third, and fourth picks. The remaining lottery teams are then slotted in order of their pre-lottery draft odds.

A select group of media members, NBA officials, and representatives from the participating teams and the accounting firm Ernst & Young are present to oversee the drawings.

The 2025 NBA Draft Class: Beyond Flagg

While Cooper Flagg is the headliner of the 2025 NBA draft class, several other talented prospects are expected to be selected in the top 10. These include Rutger’s Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe, Texas’ Tre Johnson, Duke’s Kon Knueppel and Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears.

June 25-26: The Date That Matters

The NBA draft is slated for June 25-26th. By that time, Cooper Flagg will know where his next chapter will be written. The future of a struggling franchise is about to be rewritten.