Cooper Flagg is one of the most highly anticipated NBA rookies in recent memory. As he makes his NBA Summer League debut with the Dallas Mavericks, let’s look at his NBA contract and how it compares to the millions he earned from his NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals at Duke.
Cooper Flagg’s Limitless Talent Fetches Big Bucks
While Flagg’s NIL income has been valued at around $4.8 million, ESPN’s long-time journalist, Howard Bryant, revealed Flagg was likely earning even more from his endorsement deals. During a sit-down chat with Bob Costas, he disclosed the whopping figures, which brought up ‘oohs and aahs’ from the crowd.
“$28 million,” stated Bryant, leaving Costas and the audience stunned. “He had a $13 million deal with New Balance and then a $15 million deal with Fanatics.”
Those large numbers take him to the top, and he has undisclosed deals with Gatorade and Walmart. That’s how good the forward is at just 18.
Cooper Flagg made MORE money from NIL deals than he’ll make as an NBA rookie 🤯
In his lone season at Duke, Flagg signed NIL deals worth $28 million just from Fanatics and New Balance alone (per ESPN journalist Howard Bryant)
💰 Fanatics: $15 million
💰 New Balance: $13 million… pic.twitter.com/AerlAJkTKt— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 11, 2025
Now that the Mavericks have officially drafted Flagg, how much will he earn in Dallas while playing alongside Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving? According to Spotrac, his rookie-scale contract will be a four-year, $62.7 million rookie contract, and he will earn $13.8 million in his first year.
If Bryant’s reporting is accurate, Flagg will have earned more from his NIL deals at Duke than he will from his NBA salary as a rookie. That said, Flagg will be earning more overall since he will earn his NBA salary, plus he’ll still have income from his endorsement deals (especially since the No. 1 pick typically has plenty of off-court opportunities).
By his fourth NBA season, he will earn $19.1 million. But surely, his second NBA contract will feature a monster payday (barring an injury or massive struggles).
Bronny James vs. Cooper Flagg Tickets Breaking Records?
The 2025 Las Vegas Summer League begins Thursday with a highly anticipated matchup between the Lakers and Mavericks. This isn’t just any Summer League game.
According to TickPick, ticket prices for the game start at $650 for lower bowl seats. Courtside seats? A whopping $2,500. To put that in perspective, the average cost for a Lakers game during the 2024-25 regular NBA season was $702, according to Barry Tickets.
Bronny James vs. Cooper Flagg is the hottest Summer League ticket of all-time, per @tickpick.
Lower bowl seats are going for $650. Courtside? $2,500. Insane. pic.twitter.com/zS4rvfjknc
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 8, 2025
The Bronny vs. Flagg matchup drives these sky-high prices. Flagg is arguably the most hyped-up American prospect out of the NBA Draft since Zion Williamson in 2019.
Despite not having a resume like Flagg’s, James draws attention as the son of the league’s biggest star, LeBron James. Plus, his father/teammate may attend the game to cheer for his son, adding extra excitement.
The Lakers vs. Mavericks matchup carries another intriguing storyline: the Luka Dončić-Flagg connection. Dallas traded Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Lakers during the 2024-25 season, receiving Anthony Davis and Max Christie in return.
The trade caught everyone off guard. Many analysts criticized the Mavericks, saying they lost their prospects of a great future. However, despite having just a 1.8% chance, Dallas got the first overall pick and selected Flagg, who many consider the franchise’s future.
Flagg seems excited to play in the Summer League, particularly with his new teammates.
“I think it’s just a great group of guys to have as teammates for Summer League,” Flagg said after the first day of Summer League practice.
“A lot of teams can get caught up just trying to figure themselves out or playing a lot of iso ball. But I think we have a really good group that wants to play the right way and showcase a strong, team-oriented brand of basketball,” Flagg added.
While Bronny vs. Flagg grabs casual fans’ attention, hardcore fans will also focus on Flagg vs. Dalton Knecht. Knecht was the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Though Flagg holds the edge in almost all aspects, Knecht has one year of NBA experience on his side.
The Lakers had planned to trade Knecht to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams in February, but the deal fell through. With a strong showing in the Summer League, Knecht will look to prove to the front office that he belongs in the Lakers’ long-term plans.
