Duke freshman sensation Cooper Flagg is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, former NBA player Quentin Richardson has publicly suggested that Flagg should remain in college for another year rather than enter the draft, particularly if the Washington Wizards land the top selection.
Should Cooper Flagg run it back at Duke rather than going to the NBA after his freshman season?
Former NBA player @QRich shared that if he were Flagg, he "would stay" at Duke pic.twitter.com/swkobmjrzw
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) March 8, 2025
Concerns Over Washington Wizards as a Destination
Richardson, a former 13-year NBA veteran, expressed concern over Flagg's potential landing spot, particularly if the struggling Wizards secure the first overall pick. The franchise has been one of the league's worst in recent years, failing to make an impact in the postseason. With a league-worst 13-49 record this season, the Wizards are among the teams with the best odds to land the No. 1 pick.
"If I'm Cooper Flagg, I'm not sure I want to go to the Washington Wizards," Richardson said on ESPN's College GameDay*.* "That's waiting on him-and that's purgatory."
Washington has only made the playoffs once since 2019 and has shown little progress toward building a championship-contending roster. The fear of being drafted into an unstable organization with limited direction is a valid concern, especially for a player of Flagg's caliber who has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone.
Cooper Flagg just wrapped up his regular season with Duke and leads the team in everything pic.twitter.com/MdBwVrtXna
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 9, 2025
The Case for Staying at Duke
Richardson pointed out that Flagg is in a unique position where he could still make significant money without immediately jumping to the NBA. Thanks to the current Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape, Flagg is already earning millions at Duke. On3.com estimates his NIL value at $4.8 million, and some analysts believe that number could climb even higher if he returned for a sophomore season.
"With the landscape what it is now and the money he can make, knowing that I'm looking at going to Washington? Obviously, I would have to consult with my family and my team and check all of those things out, but I'm not sure that [returning to Duke] would be the worst thing for him," Richardson added.
Financially, Flagg's potential earnings in the NBA are undeniable. According to salary projections, he would make approximately $13.8 million in his rookie season, with his first four-year contract totaling nearly $63 million. However, by delaying his NBA entry, Flagg risks pushing back his eventual second contract, which could be worth upwards of $328 million if he reaches his full potential.
Cooper Flagg is SPECIAL pic.twitter.com/4MFtdNOZiv
— JMann_ (@JMannsTakes) March 9, 2025
Is Delaying the NBA Worth the Risk?
Despite the lucrative NIL opportunities, most experts agree that delaying his entry into the NBA could be financially unwise. There's the ever-present risk of injury, and there's also the possibility that another prospect, such as AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson, could leapfrog Flagg in draft rankings.
Flagg himself has remained noncommittal about his future, choosing to focus on the present. "I'm just living in the moment," Flagg said when asked about his basketball plans. "I'm going day by day with this team, practice by practice, and we're gonna just finish out this year."
Ultimately, the decision rests with Flagg and his camp. While Quentin Richardson's advice is worth considering, the long-term financial implications may push Flagg toward making the jump to the NBA. Whether he ends up in Washington or elsewhere, his talent is undeniable, and teams will be eager to build around his immense potential.
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This story was originally published March 9, 2025 at 8:41 AM.