Cooper Flagg advised to get ‘finance training’ as NBA prospect gives worrying answer on future

Duke standout freshman Cooper Flagg is mulling over whether to declare for the NBA Draft or stay back in school.

Cooper Flagg advised to get ‘finance training’ as NBA prospect gives worrying answer on future

Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce want Cooper Flagg to declare for NBA Draft immediately

Less than a month remains in the 2024-25 NBA season. Some teams are fighting for playoff spots, while others have already started to analyze and research potential draft picks. All of those at the bottom of the standings know they have a chance at nabbing teen sensation Cooper Flagg.

The Duke standout has lived up to his high school hype. More importantly, his performances in Team USA practices playing opposite LeBron James, Steph Curry and others raised eyebrows. Teams heading into the lottery know they will be getting their hands on a generational talent.

YouTube video

With Duke entering the NCAA March Madness, all eyes will be on the 18-year-old. He is struggling with an ankle injury but is expected to return in time for the most important tournament in college basketball. However, another concern is brewing among NBA executives.

FS Video

There were reports that Cooper Flagg is considering returning to Duke for his sophomore year. If basketball development is his target, then he might be right in choosing to do so. But Hall of Famers Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett have a different opinion.

Listen, we (role playing Flagg’s father) the consensus No. 1 pick. Is your dream to go to the NBA? It’s right here right now. Let’s take advantage of that. Get some media training, some finance training. Once the tournament is over, we out of school.

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett said

The former Boston Celtics teammates believe there is no reason to stay back at Duke. If Cooper Flagg’s dream is to play in the NBA, he can fulfil that dream right now. He will be the No. 1 overall draft pick this season. But that may not be the case next year.

Cooper Flagg may not get a better opportunity at entering the NBA

Men’s basketball players have the benefit of needing to attend just one season in college. In contrast, women’s players by rule have to spend at least four seasons in college. Cooper Flagg can spend more time in college, something some of the greats have done before him.

But the problem with the one-and-done era that is currently in effect is that spending more time may not necessarily benefit the said player. An injury or some unforeseen circumstances can have a detrimental effect on their careers.

In contrast, WNBA teams get four good years of scouting to determine how good a player is. If they do get injured in their final season, teams do not get deterred because they know what they are getting. Moreover, the women’s teams are not depending on immediate contributions from their rookies.

The NBA is the polar opposite of that. When a top draft pick comes in, they are immediately expected to become one of the best players on the roster. This means, if Flagg does end up injured, NBA executives could look at other tantalizing prospects. That last part will be a major problem next year.

2026 draft class will have a plethora of elite options

In the upcoming NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg is the consensus No. 1 overall pick. Whichever team lands the No. 1 overall pick in the lottery will truly be lucky as the options after the Duke standout are not as exciting. It is not that they will not develop into great players, just that they will need more time.

Flagg will be an instant superstar. The hype surrounding him will lead to sold out crowds and higher merchandise sales. The picks after him might not have that immediate impact. But in the 2026 NBA Draft, most of the teams picking up to the fifth pick will be excited.

In fact, Flagg’s teammates next season will be the much-hyped Boozer twins. They are expected to go in the top 5. Along with them AJ Dybansta, Alijah Arenas and a few others are expected to battle it out to top the draft boards.

Flagg may not want to get into such a situation as every one of them is looking to declare for the 2026 NBA Draft. That competition may not be good for him, and in the event an injury or reduction of playing time adds on to the competition, he could slide down the draft.