The Washington Wizards held the top spot in our latest 2025 NBA mock draft and made the obvious choice — selecting Duke forward Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick.
Flagg, who is in the middle of an NCAA Tournament run with the Blue Devils, has been every bit as advertised this season after coming in as the top-ranked high school prospect in the country. The freshman is averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range. He’s also been strong on defense, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
He was also named the 2024-25 ACC Player and Freshman of the Year.
“Flagg is an elite prospect who passes the eye test,” we wrote in our mock draft,” wrote PFSN fantasy/betting analyst Kyle Soppe. “He’s physically gifted, standing 6’9″, 205 pounds with a 7’1″ wingspan. His frame is a bit thin, but that’ll likely change. He’s a great athlete with a knack for putting the ball in the basket. His all-around, NBA-ready skill set is why many believe he can be a franchise player at the next level.”
Cooper Flagg to D.C.? Why Wizards Need Teen Phenom to Jumpstart a Franchise Revival
Beyond the stats and measurables, Flagg’s nonstop motor and fierce competitiveness make him an elite prospect. He’s not going to take plays off. He’s going to play at 100% every minute he’s on the court — something that’ll give opponents a headache on defense.
Flagg also has experience playing against NBA-level talent. He was a member of the 2024 USA Select Team that trained alongside the USA men’s national team ahead of the Paris Olympics. While only 17 at the time, Flagg turned heads by holding his own in scrimmages against elite defenders like Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday.
If any team in the NBA needs a Flagg-sized boost, it’s Washington. The Wizards haven’t had a winning season since 2017-18 and haven’t made it to the conference finals since 1978-79 — back when they were the Bullets.
The Wizards haven’t gotten much from the small forward spot in 2024-25. Bilal Coulibaly (12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists) and Corey Kispert (11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists) have played fine, but Flagg would be a clear upgrade — even as a rookie.
Having Flagg in the lineup would also relieve some pressure on the point guard position, where Washington has struggled. Thanks to his ability to create offense for himself and others, Flagg should help the Wizards improve on their league-worst offensive rating of 106.2 next season.
Drafting Flagg would be a game-changer for the entire basketball culture in Washington, D.C. If he winds up with the Wizards, he could help lift the franchise out of the NBA’s basement and into relevance. While it’ll take more than one player to turn them into a contender, landing a young phenom like Flagg makes that process much easier.