At Cooper Flagg, the Wizards, Jazz, and Hornets solidify their best odds.

The countdown to the 2025 NBA Draft has already begun, and with Duke superstar freshman Cooper Flagg officially in the fold, three franchises—Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Charlotte Hornets—have taken center stage in the sweepstakes for the presumed No. 1 overall pick. As the NBA regular season draws to a close, these rebuilding teams find themselves with the best mathematical odds to land Flagg and potentially shift the trajectory of their franchises for the next decade.

It’s no secret why Cooper Flagg is the prize everyone wants. The 6-foot-9 forward from Maine, hailed as a generational prospect, has lived up to every ounce of hype since his arrival at Duke. He combines high-IQ defense, elite shot-blocking, three-level scoring, and a competitive fire that NBA scouts describe as “ferocious.” Already being compared to a hybrid of Kevin Durant and Andrei Kirilenko, Flagg could transform a struggling franchise into a playoff contender overnight.

Now, let’s look at the three teams most likely to win the lottery—and what Flagg could mean for their futures.

Washington Wizards: Building From the Ground Up

The Washington Wizards have spent the 2024–25 season in full rebuild mode after finally breaking up their underachieving core. Gone are the days of Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porziņģis; in their place are younger, unproven pieces like Jordan Poole, Bilal Coulibaly, and a slew of developmental prospects.

The Wizards currently sit with the league’s worst record, placing them at the top of the lottery standings with the best odds to secure the No. 1 pick under the flattened lottery odds system introduced in 2019. Washington has also invested in front-office stability, hiring former Clippers executive Trent Redden to lead the rebuild, and he’s made it clear that the team is playing the long game.

Why Flagg Fits: The Wizards desperately need a franchise cornerstone. While Coulibaly has flashed promise and Poole is a microwave scorer, neither projects as a franchise-defining player. Flagg would immediately become the team’s most talented and impactful player on both ends of the floor. His ability to anchor a defense while also creating his own shot would accelerate Washington’s timeline.

Imagine a frontcourt pairing of Flagg and Coulibaly—two switchable, athletic defenders who can run the floor and disrupt passing lanes. Add in a potential Poole resurgence or a savvy veteran addition, and suddenly Washington looks like a viable threat in the Eastern Conference within a few years.

Utah Jazz: The Post-Mitchell Era Pivot

Utah entered the post-Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert era with a surprising amount of optimism. Head coach Will Hardy has squeezed a competitive spirit out of a young roster, and GM Danny Ainge has stockpiled assets for a patient rebuild. Yet despite promising seasons from players like Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Walker Kessler, the Jazz have faded down the stretch.

Utah’s recent slump has allowed them to slide into the top three of the lottery standings, and with three first-round picks in the upcoming draft (barring protections), the Jazz are well-positioned to strike gold.

Why Flagg Fits: Ainge has always valued versatile forwards, and Flagg fits that mold perfectly. His two-way impact, high motor, and ability to guard multiple positions align with Utah’s vision. Markkanen can space the floor as a stretch-four while Flagg operates as the defensive anchor and offensive fulcrum. If Utah decides to retain George and give him the keys at point guard, Flagg becomes the perfect complementary piece in a modern NBA system built on spacing, movement, and high-IQ basketball.

For a franchise looking for the next face of the team—someone who brings both production and star power—Flagg might be the missing puzzle piece.

Charlotte Hornets: Desperate for a Franchise Savior

Charlotte has been wandering through NBA mediocrity for over a decade. Their last true franchise player was Kemba Walker, and even he couldn’t elevate the team past the first round of the playoffs. LaMelo Ball brought excitement, but his injury woes and lack of defensive effort have cast doubt over his long-term future as a true No. 1 option.

With a roster filled with uncertainties—Brandon Miller has looked promising, but Miles Bridges’ future is unclear—the Hornets need a player who can instantly raise their ceiling and establish a new identity.

Why Flagg Fits: Flagg offers the Hornets a much-needed identity on both ends. He plays with intensity, toughness, and purpose—three traits that Charlotte has sorely lacked. A Ball-Flagg-Miller trio has the potential to be one of the most exciting young cores in basketball if LaMelo can stay healthy. Flagg could also ease the burden on Ball defensively and become the team’s go-to scorer in crunch time.

Charlotte fans have suffered through years of inconsistent drafting and uninspired basketball. Winning the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes could be the turning point.

What Makes Flagg Different?

NBA prospects come and go, but there’s a reason scouts are grouping Cooper Flagg with the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis. His combination of size, skill, feel for the game, and competitive fire is extremely rare.

Defensive Potential: At Duke, Flagg has already showcased his elite timing as a shot blocker and his ability to guard 1 through 5. He reads passing lanes like a free safety and is always two steps ahead on rotations.

Offensive Growth: Once seen primarily as a defensive monster, Flagg has expanded his offensive game considerably. He’s knocking down threes at a 37% clip, finishing through contact in the paint, and displaying a mid-range jumper that’s smooth and repeatable. He also averages nearly 4 assists per game, proving he’s not just a scorer but a facilitator.

Intangibles: What sets Flagg apart even more is his leadership. Even as a freshman, he’s barking out defensive assignments, challenging his teammates, and diving for loose balls. He’s the type of player who raises the level of everyone around him.

The Flattened Odds: A Lottery of Uncertainty

Thanks to the NBA’s restructured lottery system, no team is guaranteed the No. 1 pick—even if they finish with the worst record. The top three teams (currently Washington, Utah, and Charlotte) will each have a 14% chance, followed by a gradual decline for the next set of lottery-bound teams.

This system was designed to discourage outright tanking, and it has succeeded in creating some drama. Just ask the 2023 Pistons, who finished with the worst record but fell all the way to No. 5. That kind of shakeup is always possible, and it will keep fans, executives, and players on edge until the envelope is opened.

Other Wild Cards in the Mix

While the Wizards, Jazz, and Hornets have the best odds, other teams could crash the party.

• Detroit Pistons: After landing Cade Cunningham in 2021, the Pistons have continued to struggle. A Flagg-Cunningham-Jalen Duren core would be fascinating.
• San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama already looks like a superstar, and the thought of pairing him with Cooper Flagg is borderline unfair. The Spurs don’t have the best odds, but don’t count out the lottery gods.
• Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson hasn’t quite lived up to the early hype, but he’s young. Adding Flagg could give Portland a true two-way duo.

The Pressure of Being the Prize

With great hype comes immense pressure. Flagg will face intense scrutiny the moment he enters the league. Every performance will be dissected, every misstep magnified. But those who know Flagg best believe he’s built for the spotlight.

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer recently said: “Cooper’s not just one of the best players I’ve ever coached—he’s one of the best leaders. He works like he’s undrafted and plays like he’s No. 1. That’s rare.”

If that’s true, then whichever team wins the lottery won’t just be adding a star—they’ll be adding a tone-setter, a culture-changer, and maybe even a future MVP.

 The Franchise-Changer Awaits

The NBA lottery will take place in May, but the anticipation is already palpable. Cooper Flagg has the basketball world watching, and three teams—Wizards, Jazz, and Hornets—stand at the doorstep of transformation.

Will it be Washington finally landing its first true superstar since Gilbert Arenas? Will Utah add the final building block to a modern dynasty? Or will Charlotte finally rise out of irrelevance and into prominence?

No matter who wins, one thing is clear: Cooper Flagg is coming—and he’s bringing hope with him.