Copper Flagg is tipped for superstardom. Photo via https://x.com/LegionHoops/status/1878158684267675690/photo/1
NBA teams are heading into the 2025-2026 with different dreams. Some are looking to take the next step and bring home a title. Others want to restock their roster with young talent who can return them to respectability.
Sure, fans might be planning to look at future NBA championship betting odds at a discount, but supporters of struggling teams will be much more focused on the NBA Draft.
As is often the case, the Duke Blue Devils send multiple tantalizing prospects to the NBA. We will look closer at three players who have had great arguments about being selected in the lottery.
Cooper Flagg
It’s been known for a year or two that Cooper Flagg is the crown jewel of the 2025 NBA Draft. He figures to be the type of player that can reinvigorate a franchise. The sports world knows that the Dallas Mavericks, who own the top pick in the draft, need a re-start in the worst way after their trade of Luka Doncic.
We’ll see how great Flagg is on the offensive end as a rookie, but he should be able to make an enormous defensive contribution immediately. He has excellent anticipation and understanding of where to be on the floor and is versatile enough to guard players much smaller or notably bigger than him.
People might also remember Flagg’s exhibition performances against the United States men’s Olympic team in 2024. Before playing a game at Duke, Flagg was on the floor with some of the NBA’s biggest stars. He handled himself quite well.
Khaman Maluach
Basketball fans may not have been familiar with Maluach heading into the 2025 NCAA Tournament, but they certainly are now. His numbers didn’t exactly jump off the page, but his physical ability around the rim got the attention of fans and evaluators during March Madness.
As recently as four years ago, it would have been difficult to envision Maluach in the NBA, let alone as a potential top-10 pick. The South Sudanese prospect only started playing basketball at age 14, but he’s proven to be a quick study. The sky would appear to be the limit, given his limited experience and increasing polish.
Kon Knueppel
It would be unwise to forget about Knueppel, who was integral to Duke’s run to the Final Four this past season. He’s a well-rounded forward who did some of everything for the Blue Devils and hopes to bring that same level of versatility to the next level.
Character is often discussed in the weeks leading up to the NBA Draft, as franchises want to ensure they bring players dedicated to being the best possible version of themselves. That shouldn’t be a problem for Knueppel, who has drawn rave reviews for being obsessed with basketball and putting in work that many others wouldn’t be willing to consider.
