DeMarcus Cousins has some advice for Cooper Flagg when it comes to the New Orleans Pelicans- choose another year in college instead.
The Pelicans are currently in play for this year's No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The consensus projected top pick is Flagg, the star Duke freshman forward. The Maine native has averaged 19.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season.
As of Friday morning, the Pelicans have the fourth-highest chance at landing the No. 1 pick.
DeMarcus Cousins’ Warriors debut won’t come against the Pelicans: report
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) with New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) after hitting a pair of free throws late in the second OT against the Chicago Bulls at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018.
Cousins stated his opinion on FanDuel TV's "Run It Back" show with Lou Williams, Chandler Parsons and Michelle Beadle.
"Cooper Flagg, go back to Duke or the [Utah] Jazz, brother," Cousins said. "[With the] Pelicans, you'll get lost in the sauce with the Saints."
Boogie Cousins urges Cooper Flagg to stay at Duke unless the Jazz have the first pick in the NBA Draft 😅
Do you agree that Flagg should stay in college if the Pelicans, Wizards or Hornets are drafting #1 overall? pic.twitter.com/gQu5K5JMMb
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 6, 2025
Cousins played 65 games for the Pelicans from 2017 to 2018. He once participated in a Mardi Gras parade on a float with former teammate and fellow All-Star Anthony Davis. He hasn't hesitated to discuss the Pelicans before on the show this season, as he's advised All-Star forward Zion Williamson to break up with the franchise to go to a city and team that will force more discipline on him to save the prime of his career.
The Pelicans are currently 17-46, a large drop off from last season's 49-33 record. New Orleans entered the season with high expectations by adding former All-Star guard Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks. Unfortunately, the story of the season has been injuries, as Murray himself suffered a season-ending ruptured right Achilles tendon.
A pair of the reasons for optimism from the regular season, however, have been the breakout season for Trey Murphy III and Williamson being in the reported lowest weight of his NBA career. Murphy is averaging 21.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game this season, while Williamson is averaging 24.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
Email Rashad Milligan at rashad.milligan@theadvocate.com.