Cooper Flagg is widely projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Duke standout has all the momentum behind him, with the Blue Devils heading into the Final Four. As one of the tournament favorites, Duke is under the spotlight — and so is Flagg.
With Flagg locked in as the top draft prospect, attention is shifting to his teammates. Kon Knueppel and Khaman Malauch are both projected first-round picks, and the tournament gives them a prime opportunity to boost their draft stock even further.
Knueppel has been outstanding so far and is starting to show up on more draft boards. Malauch has impressed as well, especially with his size and rim protection. With just a few months until the draft, the question now is: where will these Duke stars land?
Khaman Malauch to the 76ers?
There’s speculation that Malauch could land with the Philadelphia 76ers if they’re looking to add another big. While Joel Embiid remains the franchise cornerstone, his ongoing injury concerns might influence the team’s draft-day decision.
In a recent Yahoo Sports mock draft, Malauch is projected to go at No. 5 overall to the Sixers. If that happens, it could reshape the team’s future. Philadelphia could eventually explore moving Embiid for a guard or wing, with Malauch developing as their next big man.
If both Flagg and Malauch go in the top five, it would be another major win for Duke’s developmental system — and a big-time recruiting pitch to future college stars. Will Duke really produce two top-five picks in one draft?
Will Duke Win the NCAA Championship?
Duke is gearing up for its biggest weekend of the 2024-2025 season as they prepare to face Houston in the Final Four. The winner will move on to face either Auburn or Florida — setting up a potential Duke vs. Florida showdown that many fans predicted when the bracket dropped.
No matter how things shake out, a Final Four trip is already a success for this Duke squad. Flagg’s all-around dominance, Knueppel’s shooting, and Malauch’s rim protection make them a serious threat to take home the title.
Will Duke win it all? Could Flagg, Knueppel, and Malauch all go in the top 10 — or even the top five — of this year’s draft? Time will tell.
Last season, teams drafted UConn teammates Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan at No. 4 and No. 7 respectively. But no collegiate teammates have been selected in the top five of the same draft since 2019 when the New Orleans Pelicans selected Duke’s Zion Williamson No. 1 and the New York Knicks selected his Blue Devil teammate RJ Barrett No. 3 overall.