“Two-Time NBA Champion Sends Clear Message to Utah Jazz About Drafting Duke Star Cooper Flagg”

The hype surrounding Cooper Flagg has reached a fever pitch, and it’s not just college basketball fans or NBA scouts fueling the excitement. A two-time NBA champion has joined the conversation in a major way, delivering a strong, impassioned message to the Utah Jazz as the franchise eyes its options ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. The message is simple but profound: Don’t overthink it. Draft Cooper Flagg.

Flagg, the electrifying forward from Duke University, has been projected as the consensus No. 1 overall pick for much of the year. The 6-foot-9 Maine native has captivated fans with his all-around game, competitive fire, and innate basketball IQ. But now, the conversation isn’t just about his talent—it’s about legacy, leadership, and whether the Utah Jazz can afford to pass on a player who looks destined to change a franchise.

The two-time NBA champion in question—whose identity hasn’t officially been confirmed but is widely speculated to be former Miami Heat star Udonis Haslem or possibly Pau Gasol, based on social media context—took to a national podcast earlier this week to make his feelings known. “If the Jazz are serious about building a winning culture, they’ve got to draft Cooper Flagg,” the former champion said. “This kid isn’t just a basketball player. He’s a movement. He’s a culture-changer. And Utah needs that right now more than anything.”

It’s a powerful endorsement, one that carries significant weight not just because of the messenger, but because of the timing. With the NBA Draft just two months away, the Jazz are in the thick of a critical decision-making window. Holding a top-three pick after a disappointing but competitive season, Utah finds itself in a familiar position—armed with potential, but needing a true north star to guide its young core into a new era.

Flagg could be that beacon.

What makes Cooper Flagg so compelling isn’t just his box score stats, though those are certainly impressive. In his freshman season at Duke, Flagg averaged 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 1.8 steals per game. But beyond the numbers, his game speaks to a higher level of basketball understanding. He’s a defensive menace with elite timing and instincts, capable of switching onto guards, contesting shots at the rim, and jumping passing lanes with anticipation rarely seen in a teenager. Offensively, he combines a smooth shooting stroke with playmaking vision and a fearless drive to the rim. His motor never stops running.

But more than that, Flagg has shown the intangibles that separate good players from generational ones. Leadership. Grit. A relentless will to win. He plays every possession like it’s his last. And those who’ve shared the court with him—or coached him—say that what’s visible in games is just a sliver of his everyday commitment.

That’s precisely the kind of mentality Utah needs. While the Jazz have promising pieces in Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and Keyonte George, they lack a true cornerstone—a player who can anchor both ends of the court and redefine what Jazz basketball means in this decade. Drafting Flagg would give them just that, and possibly more.

Flagg’s connection to the modern NBA is also part of his appeal. He’s a positionless player in a positionless league. He can run the offense like a point forward, defend all five positions, and shoot the three at a respectable clip. He’s not the next LeBron or Durant—that’s not a fair comparison for anyone. But he’s something else entirely: a hybrid of sorts, molded by the influence of multiple eras of basketball, with a skillset that seems tailor-made for today’s game.

And that’s why the message from the two-time NBA champion resonates so deeply. “There are some guys who come around once in a generation,” the former player continued. “You don’t pass on that. You don’t hesitate. If he’s on the board, you grab him and don’t look back.”

Jazz fans are already buzzing over the prospect of Flagg wearing the navy, gold, and white. Social media has been flooded with concept art, speculative lineups, and highlight reel mashups imagining Flagg in a Jazz jersey. Utah, known for its passionate fan base and historically defensive-minded identity, could fall in love with Flagg’s two-way tenacity.

Of course, the path isn’t entirely clear. While Flagg has long been projected as the No. 1 overall pick, the draft lottery has not yet determined the final order. Other franchises, including the Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs, are also reportedly high on Flagg. If the Jazz do not secure the top pick, they may need to consider trade options to move up and ensure they land their man.

That, too, was addressed in the podcast. “If I’m Utah, I’d do whatever it takes. Trade up. Package picks. Make the deal,” said the champion. “Because you don’t want to look back five years from now and say, ‘We had a chance at Cooper Flagg, and we passed on him.’ That’s how you end up rebuilding for a decade instead of building a contender.”

Jazz general manager Justin Zanik and head coach Will Hardy have kept their draft plans close to the chest. Hardy, who’s developed a reputation as a smart, culture-first coach, might be particularly intrigued by Flagg’s fit. A hardworking, selfless player who thrives on both ends of the court seems to align perfectly with the ethos Hardy is trying to instill.

There are, of course, valid questions. Can Flagg carry the burden of being “the guy” for an NBA team right out of the gate? Is he physically ready for the grind of an 82-game season? And how will he adjust to the speed and physicality of the pro game? These are fair questions, but ones that every prospect faces. Flagg, by all accounts, is not just ready for the challenge—he’s hungry for it.

In recent interviews, Flagg has remained humble and focused. “I just want to help a team win,” he said during Duke’s NCAA Tournament run. “I don’t care about the hype or the pressure. I love the game, and I love competing. That’s what drives me.”

That kind of mindset only adds to his allure. In an era where branding and off-court pursuits can sometimes overshadow the game itself, Flagg is refreshingly grounded. He’s not chasing headlines—he’s chasing greatness. And the Utah Jazz, according to many, would be wise to let him chase that in Salt Lake City.

Flagg’s impact could extend beyond the hardwood. In a city that has often struggled to attract big-name free agents, having a magnetic young star could shift perceptions and open doors. A successful Flagg era in Utah could rejuvenate the franchise’s national profile, fill seats, and inspire a new generation of fans and players alike.

In the end, the message from the two-time champion echoes a sentiment that’s beginning to feel universal: Cooper Flagg isn’t just the best player in the 2025 draft—he might be the most important. For a team like the Utah Jazz, that means the choice is simple. If he’s available, you draft him. No questions asked.

The stakes are high, and the spotlight is bright. But as history has shown time and time again, when the right player meets the right opportunity, special things happen. The Jazz now face that moment. Cooper Flagg is waiting.

And one two-time NBA champion—and millions of fans—are watching closely.