Cooper Flagg is expected to not only be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft but also a superstar in the making. It may not happen immediately, but his ceiling projects to be very high.
However, not everyone thinks Flagg is a sure thing as a superstar. Florida head coach Todd Golden explained why he’s unsure about Flagg’s potential as a franchise player.
Why Todd Golden Isn’t So Sure on Cooper Flagg
During his appearance on “Run it Back,” Golden said he believes Flagg is NBA-ready but isn’t sold on him as a potential superstar just yet.
“I think the best thing about Cooper Flagg for the NBA is he’s gonna be able to impact early. Whether he’s gonna be able to become a superstar, I think that’s still to be determined,” Golden said.
Even though Golden isn’t as high on Flagg as many are, he believes Flagg won’t be a bust if he’s picked first.
“I think he’s a great player, don’t get me wrong, but you guys know that every player in that league is amazing,” Golden said. “… He’s a ready-made guy. He can defend multiple positions. He’s good with the basketball and finishes well around the rim. I think he’s got to tighten up the jumper a little bit, but he’s a guy that has a really, really high floor, and I don’t think he would disappoint being that No. 1 selection.”
Florida Gators HC Todd Golden says Cooper Flagg is NBA-ready, but it remains to be seen if he replicate that Duke dominance in Dallas 👀
At 6’7, he may be a bit shorter than advertised, but the floor is still high…will Flagg take over the league like he did college hoops? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/NzXMfkV4ug
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV)
Flagg has plenty of hype behind him, but he will have to prove that the team that picks him, presumably the Dallas Mavericks, was right to do so, which isn’t a given, as anything can happen.
There have been No. 1 picks with plenty of hype who did not live up to it. Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz entered the NBA, believed to be potential superstars, but neither lived up to expectations, reaching varied levels of success.
Flagg is expected to play a significant role immediately for the Mavericks, who have Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson. However, Irving is still recovering from a torn ACL. Flagg could easily slot into the starting lineup and add size, playmaking, scoring, and defense — a quality Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said the team prioritized when trading Luka Dončić for Davis.
The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25, and Flagg is expected to be the first player selected. However, given the Mavericks’ recent trade history, it wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up with another team, with Dallas trading the pick for a bona fide star.
