Cooper Flagg has yet to make his NBA debut, but that hasn’t stopped teams from strategizing ways to acquire the Duke Blue Devils standout. Flagg’s future will likely become clearer on Monday, May 12, when the NBA Draft Lottery takes place.
While Flagg may not carry quite the same generational hype as Victor Wembanyama, Tim Duncan, or other past superstars, he remains the overwhelming favorite to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick. Though not officially determined, it’s widely expected that whichever team wins the lottery will secure Flagg — unless they decide to trade the pick for an established star.
This situation sets the stage for an offseason that could be filled with Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, especially for the Milwaukee Bucks. CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn recently outlined potential destinations for the Bucks’ franchise player.
One team repeatedly mentioned as ramping up efforts to acquire Antetokounmpo is the Brooklyn Nets. Quinn suggests that if Brooklyn wins the lottery, they could consider trading the No. 1 pick — and the chance to draft Flagg — in exchange for Antetokounmpo. However, under NBA rules, such a deal couldn’t officially be completed until draft day.
“The Nets could play a major role in these developments,” Quinn noted Monday. “Owning four unprotected future Knicks picks is a major asset. Their own pick this year will be in the lottery, and if they land in the top four, even better. A Cooper Flagg-for-Giannis Antetokounmpo trade presents an intriguing choice: five years of guaranteed All-NBA performance versus 15 years of high potential but with more uncertainty,” Quinn explained.
Ultimately, the Bucks’ decision would likely hinge on their outlook. While prospects like Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey may not match Flagg’s potential, they could still serve as enticing trade pieces.
It’s important to point out that Antetokounmpo has not requested a trade. Past offseasons have been filled with speculation about his future, only for him to reaffirm his commitment to Milwaukee. However, given the Bucks’ recent playoff struggles, some insiders believe this could be the offseason when Antetokounmpo finally considers a move. He remains under contract with Milwaukee through the 2027-28 season on a three-year, $175 million extension.
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