Cooper Flagg is lighting it up in his freshman season at Duke, showcasing an impressive all-around game that has fans buzzing. Averaging 19.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, he’s quickly establishing himself as a force on the court. With the NBA Draft still a couple of years away, many analysts expect Flagg to be the No. 1 pick in 2025, but there’s an intriguing twist: the 18-year-old from Newport, Maine has expressed openness to spending another season with the Blue Devils in pursuit of an NCAA championship.
This potential decision is not without its risks. According to reports, staying an additional year could mean delaying a contract that might be valued around $400 million over its duration. By opting to remain in college, Flagg would push back his entry into the NBA, where rookie contracts typically last for four years. As a result, if he decides to enter the draft in 2025, he could begin his second contract in the 2029-2030 season.
To put this into perspective, the rookie scale maximum can bring in a staggering 30% of a team’s salary cap. If we factor in anticipated cap increases, Flagg’s second contract could reach up to $398.5 million over five years, averaging nearly $80 million per year. That’s life-changing money, and one that would be hard to pass up.
However, there’s a gamble at play here. Injuries are an unfortunate reality in sports, and choosing to wait another season carries the risk that Flagg could suffer an injury that might jeopardize that lucrative maximum contract. While it’s true he could still secure significant earnings throughout his career if he lives up to the high expectations, opting to delay guaranteed money for an additional year poses a challenging dilemma.
Moreover, even if Flagg were to earn some funds through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities next year, the figures are unlikely to come close to what he stands to potentially lose if faced with an injury. Current reports estimate Flagg’s NIL valuation at $4.8 million—a substantial sum, but perhaps still a fraction of the future NBA earnings he might be sacrificing.
In this critical juncture of his young career, Flagg’s decision could shape not only his immediate future with Duke but also his long-term financial prospects in the NBA. It’s a situation that has many fans and analysts eagerly watching, as the potential consequences of his choice could be monumental. Whether he opts to chase collegiate glory or fast-track his entry into the professional ranks, one thing is clear: Cooper Flagg’s journey is just beginning, and it promises to be a captivating one.
