Wafric News – May 11, 2025

As the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery draws near, the buzz surrounding Cooper Flagg has hit fever pitch. Set to take place Monday in Chicago, the lottery will determine which franchise secures the golden ticket to select the Duke sensation — widely regarded as a generational talent.

Flagg, the versatile 6’9” forward from Maine, electrified the college basketball world during his freshman year, leading Duke to both the ACC title and a Final Four berth. His numbers — 21.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game — only begin to tell the story of a player whose on-court IQ and two-way dominance have made him the undisputed No. 1 prospect in this year’s class.

As teams prepare to scout Flagg further at next week’s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, fans and executives alike are already dreaming about what the future could look like with the 18-year-old phenom at the center of their rebuild.

WafricNews breaks down the five likeliest destinations for the projected top pick — and what a Flagg-led future might look like.

With a 17–65 record this season, Utah is fully immersed in a rebuild. Despite young pieces like Keyonte George and Walker Kessler, the Jazz lack a true franchise cornerstone. Enter Cooper Flagg.

A player of Flagg’s caliber could reignite basketball in Salt Lake City the way Karl Malone and John Stockton once did. With cap space and future draft assets in hand, Utah could be primed for a rapid rebuild centered around the Maine native.

The Wizards have been in a holding pattern for years, and their 18–64 campaign this season confirmed their spot at the bottom of the standings.

While there’s promise in players like Bilal Coulibaly, the team lacks a central identity. Flagg’s toughness, basketball IQ, and two-way presence could give D.C. its most impactful leader since the John Wall era — and finally offer the fanbase a reason to believe.

The Hornets (19–63) have two rising stars in LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, but they need a third piece to stabilize the foundation — and Flagg fits the bill.

Flagg’s elite defensive instincts, vocal leadership, and offensive versatility would complement Ball’s creative playmaking and Miller’s scoring touch. Under new front office leadership, Charlotte could build a well-rounded, sustainable playoff team around that trio.

Post-Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, the Nets have struggled to find a new identity.

Flagg could be the game-changer they desperately need. His ability to do a bit of everything on both ends makes him an ideal player to pair with current standouts like Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton. And with Brooklyn’s market appeal, Flagg’s arrival could usher in a new era for the franchise.

Toronto’s development program remains one of the NBA’s best, but the post-VanVleet era hasn’t produced much momentum.

With Scottie Barnes still finding his place, adding Flagg would give the Raptors a much-needed jolt. His motor, maturity, and basketball instincts would thrive in Toronto’s system, and his presence could finally give the team the direction it’s been missing.

As the lottery nears, all eyes will be on Utah, Washington, and Charlotte — the frontrunners to secure the coveted top pick. And wherever the ping pong balls fall, one thing is clear: Cooper Flagg is ready to change the trajectory of an NBA franchise.


By WafricNews Sport Desk.