No Doubt in the Draft: Cooper Flagg Names His King—and It’s the Joker”
In a world where rookies often tread carefully with their words, Cooper Flagg didn’t blink.
Fresh off a phenomenal lone season at Duke—averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists—Flagg not only led the Blue Devils to a Final Four appearance, but also established himself as the clear frontrunner for the No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. And now, with the Dallas Mavericks defying 98.2% odds to secure the top pick, the stars may be aligning for something special.
A potential pairing with Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson? That’s not a rebuild. That’s a storm coming.
But even amid his sky-high rise and the NBA’s bright lights on the horizon, Flagg kept it real at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. When Bleacher Report threw the question of questions at him—“Who’s the best player in the NBA right now?”—there was no pause, no filter, and definitely no fear.
“Best player in the NBA right now? Joker,” Flagg said with conviction. “He just does so much. He impacts winning in so many ways.”
No pageantry. No hesitation. Just facts.
That’s Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ triple-double machine. A three-time MVP in four seasons. A champion. A center who plays like a point guard, rebounds like a power forward, and thinks the game like a coach. The Joker doesn’t just play the game—he bends it to his will.
Flagg wasn’t alone in his pick. A wave of upcoming stars echoed the same name: Walter Clayton Jr., Derik Queen, Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley, and others all tipped their hats to Jokic. A new generation recognizing greatness—not through flash, but through impact.
Sure, other legends got nods. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. James Harden. Kevin Durant. LeBron James. Jalen Brunson. All worthy mentions. But when it came to the unfiltered voice of tomorrow’s stars, Jokic reigned supreme.
And that’s what makes Flagg’s response special.
It wasn’t just about giving flowers—it was about understanding the game at a deeper level. For someone just 18, Cooper Flagg already sees basketball with veteran vision. He recognizes what wins, what elevates, and what defines true greatness.
If the Mavericks follow through and select him No. 1, Flagg won’t just be walking into the NBA with hype—he’ll be bringing a mindset that matches the moment.
And if he carries that same boldness into the league?
Watch out.
Because the kid who just crowned the Joker might be next in line for the throne.
Leave a Reply