The Lottery Beckons: Charting Cooper Flagg’s Course to the NBA
The basketball world held its breath as Cooper Flagg, the Duke Blue Devils’ sensational freshman, officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. After a dominant single season in Durham, the 6-foot-9 forward from Maine has firmly positioned himself as the consensus No. 1 overall pick. Flagg’s versatility, two-way prowess, and maturity beyond his 18 years have scouts salivating, drawing comparisons to established NBA stars like Scottie Pippen and Jayson Tatum.
However, the destination for this prodigious talent remains shrouded in the mystery of the NBA Draft Lottery. Scheduled for Monday, May 12, the lottery will determine the order of the top 14 picks, and more importantly, which franchise will land the coveted opportunity to select Flagg.
Decoding the Draft Lottery:
The NBA Draft Lottery is designed to inject an element of chance into the draft process, preventing teams from deliberately losing games (“tanking”) to secure the top picks. The 14 non-playoff teams are assigned odds based on their regular-season records, with the teams possessing the worst records having the highest probability of landing the No. 1 selection.
Currently, three teams share the highest odds of winning the lottery, each with a 14% chance of securing the top pick and the rights to draft Cooper Flagg:
Utah Jazz: Finishing with a league-worst record of 17-65, the Jazz are in dire need of a franchise cornerstone to accelerate their rebuilding process. Adding a talent like Flagg would instantly provide them with a dynamic scorer, playmaker, and defender to build around.
Washington Wizards: With a slightly better record of 18-64, the Wizards are also in the early stages of a rebuild. Landing the No. 1 pick and Flagg would be a transformative event for the franchise, offering a beacon of hope for a fanbase yearning for a return to relevance.
Charlotte Hornets: Despite boasting a young and exciting talent in LaMelo Ball, the Hornets finished with a disappointing 19-63 record. Securing Flagg would create a potentially electrifying duo and elevate the team’s prospects in the Eastern Conference.
Beyond these three frontrunners, several other teams hold significant lottery odds, including the New Orleans Pelicans (12.5%), Philadelphia 76ers (10.5%), and Brooklyn Nets (9%). While the odds decrease for teams with better records, the lottery has been known to produce surprises, with teams jumping up the order to secure a top pick.
Cooper Flagg’s Impact:
Regardless of which team ultimately wins the lottery, Cooper Flagg is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick. His stellar freshman season at Duke solidified his status as an elite prospect. Averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game, Flagg led the Blue Devils in every major statistical category. His versatility on both ends of the court, coupled with his exceptional athleticism and competitive fire, make him a tantalizing prospect for any NBA team.
Flagg’s offensive game is multifaceted. He can score in a variety of ways, whether it’s driving to the basket, hitting three-pointers at a respectable 38.5% clip, or making plays for his teammates. Defensively, his 7-foot wingspan and instincts allow him to guard multiple positions effectively, making him a disruptive force.
Furthermore, Flagg’s maturity and leadership qualities are rare for a player of his age. He carried the weight of immense expectations at Duke and thrived under pressure, leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. This poise and competitive spirit are highly valued by NBA teams seeking not just talent, but also a player who can be a cornerstone of their franchise for years to come.
The Ripple Effect:
The selection of Cooper Flagg at No. 1 will undoubtedly have a significant ripple effect on the rest of the draft. Teams selecting in the top five will be vying for other highly touted prospects such as Rutgers’ Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, and Duke’s Khaman Maluach. The draft order established by the lottery will dictate which teams have the opportunity to secure these potential franchise-altering talents.
For Duke, Flagg’s departure marks the beginning of a new chapter. While losing a player of his caliber is a significant blow, coach Jon Scheyer has been active in recruiting and exploring the transfer portal to reshape the Blue Devils’ roster for the 2025-26 season. The return of sophomore guard Isaiah Evans provides a promising building block, and the arrival of highly-rated recruits like Cameron Boozer and Nikolas Khamenia signals a bright future for the program.
The Waiting Game:
As the NBA world awaits the draft lottery on May 12, the anticipation surrounding Cooper Flagg’s professional debut continues to build. His talent is undeniable, and his potential to become a franchise player is immense. The lottery will determine the first step in his NBA journey, and whichever team lands the No. 1 pick will be adding a generational talent to their roster, instantly altering their trajectory for years to come. The question isn’t if Cooper Flagg will be the top pick, but rather, which lucky franchise will he call home? The answer to that pivotal question lies within the ping pong balls of the NBA Draft Lottery.
