Cooper Flagg - NBA Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
Leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, we will track where Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg appears in the latest NBA mock drafts.
Cooper Flagg NBA Mock Drafts
Here are some of the latest mock drafts in which Cooper Flagg has appeared:
Round 1, Pick 1 — Washington Wizards
If there was any doubt about whether or not Cooper Flagg deserves the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, he silenced it. Flagg recently recorded 42 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds versus Notre Dame. He leads all Duke players in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals per game this season. Since 2009, the only freshmen with a higher box plus-minus are Zion Williamson and Anthony Davis.
Round 1, Pick 1 — Washington Wizards
Flagg continues to get better with each passing month for Duke and seems to have gained some separation from the field in the last few weeks because of it. Flagg's versatility and the totality of his overall impact have been off the charts, and if the shooting and self-creation keep trending in the right direction, he could end up being the runaway favorite for the No. 1 pick.
Bleacher Report — Jonathan Wasserman
Round 1, Pick 1 — Washington Wizards
Duke hasn't been tested lately, but this current stretch has helped Cooper Flagg further separate at No. 1 on draft boards.
His epic 42-point, seven-assist game against Notre Dame showcased the entire package of self-creation and counter offense, three-level shotmaking and intelligent passing. He shot 16-of-17 from the line as well, bringing his percentage on the season up to 80.6 percent. He's making threes (four versus Notre Dame) and delivering more flashes of one-on-one scoring and execution off the bounce.
Even without the improved shotmaking lately, he continues to impact games with his athleticism from off the ball, playmaking and defensive presence.
A down year for the ACC will limit Flagg's chances to blow scouts away against mid-quality opponents over the next two months. But he just turned 18, and at 17, he'd already gone for 26 points and 11 boards versus Kentucky; he had a 24, 7-rebound and 3-assist game in a blowout of Arizona; and he recorded 22, 11 and four assists in a big win against No. 2 Auburn.
His epic 42-point, seven-assist game against Notre Dame showcased the entire package of self-creation and counter offense, three-level shotmaking and intelligent passing. He shot 16-of-17 from the line as well, bringing his percentage on the season up to 80.6 percent. He's making threes (four versus Notre Dame) and delivering more flashes of one-on-one scoring and execution off the bounce.
Even without the improved shotmaking lately, he continues to impact games with his athleticism from off the ball, playmaking and defensive presence.
A down year for the ACC will limit Flagg's chances to blow scouts away against mid-quality opponents over the next two months. But he just turned 18, and at 17, he'd already gone for 26 points and 11 boards versus Kentucky; he had a 24, 7-rebound and 3-assist game in a blowout of Arizona; and he recorded 22, 11 and four assists in a big win against No. 2 Auburn.
Round 1, Pick 1 — New Orleans Pelicans
There is at least a real conversation surrounding No. 1, but Flagg is consistently the name I get more often than Harper, and there are a few reasons for that.
First, Flagg has been terrific this season while playing most of his freshman year at 17 years old. He's averaging 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists with nearly two steals and over one block per game. He's a two-way force, defending exceptionally well as a switchable power forward for Duke as well as providing some real rim protection as a weakside rotational presence. The offensive efficiency doesn't look particularly great, but he's showcased a bit more as a creative force with ball in hand than expected from scouts this year, operating in midrange areas and generating a ton of shots as a primary option with a handle that continues to improve. His passing is terrific, and he plays well off the ball.
Scouts continue to point to Flagg's demeanor and competitiveness. This certainly isn't to question anything in that regard with Harper — the Rutgers guard not only passes but excels in answering all of the off-court questions that teams have with flying colors — but Flagg is seen as truly elite for a young player in how he approaches the game. He's seen as a winner, the kind of player who can lift his team's level in terms of aggression and competitiveness from day one because he doesn't take any possessions or days off. He also plays a premium position as a big wing that teams continue to covet league-wide. Two-way, shot-creating wings are the hardest player types to find.
Ultimately, if Flagg shows any continued improvement with his jump shot, he will likely go No. 1. His shooting efficiency has at least opened the door a bit. Thus far, Flagg is making just 45.8 percent of his attempts overall and 30.8 percent of his 3s. He has gone 8-of-16 from 3 in his past five games, a stretch in which he has averaged 20.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, four assists and over a block and a steal per game.
First, Flagg has been terrific this season while playing most of his freshman year at 17 years old. He's averaging 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists with nearly two steals and over one block per game. He's a two-way force, defending exceptionally well as a switchable power forward for Duke as well as providing some real rim protection as a weakside rotational presence. The offensive efficiency doesn't look particularly great, but he's showcased a bit more as a creative force with ball in hand than expected from scouts this year, operating in midrange areas and generating a ton of shots as a primary option with a handle that continues to improve. His passing is terrific, and he plays well off the ball.
Scouts continue to point to Flagg's demeanor and competitiveness. This certainly isn't to question anything in that regard with Harper — the Rutgers guard not only passes but excels in answering all of the off-court questions that teams have with flying colors — but Flagg is seen as truly elite for a young player in how he approaches the game. He's seen as a winner, the kind of player who can lift his team's level in terms of aggression and competitiveness from day one because he doesn't take any possessions or days off. He also plays a premium position as a big wing that teams continue to covet league-wide. Two-way, shot-creating wings are the hardest player types to find.
Ultimately, if Flagg shows any continued improvement with his jump shot, he will likely go No. 1. His shooting efficiency has at least opened the door a bit. Thus far, Flagg is making just 45.8 percent of his attempts overall and 30.8 percent of his 3s. He has gone 8-of-16 from 3 in his past five games, a stretch in which he has averaged 20.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, four assists and over a block and a steal per game.
Round 1, Pick 1 — Washington Wizards
The Wizards would be thrilled to add a talent such as Flagg to their young core, forming a dynamic defensive duo with Alexandre Sarr, last year's No. 2 pick. Flagg has been as good as advertised and appears to be hitting his stride. In the past month, he has been making jumpers and free throws more consistently while showing off his passing, finishing and defensive versatility with his outstanding intensity and feel for the game.
Sporting a 30-plus% usage rate, the second highest among projected first-rounders, Flagg has taken on an outsized role as a shot-creator. That has taken a toll on his efficiency (51% on 2-pointers, 31% on 3s) at times but it should be beneficial for him and Duke long term. The Blue Devils tested themselves in a major way in non-conference play and have looked well-equipped for a deep NCAA tournament run, with Flagg leading the way on both ends of the floor. -- Givony
Sporting a 30-plus% usage rate, the second highest among projected first-rounders, Flagg has taken on an outsized role as a shot-creator. That has taken a toll on his efficiency (51% on 2-pointers, 31% on 3s) at times but it should be beneficial for him and Duke long term. The Blue Devils tested themselves in a major way in non-conference play and have looked well-equipped for a deep NCAA tournament run, with Flagg leading the way on both ends of the floor. -- Givony
Round 1, Pick 1 — Washington Wizards
In addition to Flagg's elite skill set, athleticism and poise, the superstar freshman just turned 18 on Dec. 21. He will be the second-youngest college player to get drafted in the history of the event, so Flagg even checks off the age box in a special way because he still has plenty of upside. He has scored 24 points in three of Duke's last five games, all of which were wins, and added 10 rebounds and five assists in Duke's 76-47 win over Pitt.