Entering Jon Scheyer’s fourth season as head coach, the Blue Devils have to replace a trio of players expected to be selected in the top-10 picks of the 2025 NBA Draft. Cooper Flagg is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, with Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach also predicted to be lottery selections…

Entering Jon Scheyer’s fourth season as head coach, the Blue Devils have to replace a trio of players expected to be selected in the top-10 picks of the 2025 NBA Draft. Cooper Flagg is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick, with Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach also predicted to be lottery selections…

 

Entering Jon Scheyer’s fourth season at the helm of the Duke Blue Devils, the program faces a familiar yet formidable challenge: reloading a roster after the departure of elite NBA talent. This time, however, the stakes feel even higher. Duke is expected to lose three of its most promising players—Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach—to the 2025 NBA Draft, with all three projected to be selected in the top 10, and Flagg widely considered a lock for the No. 1 overall pick.

Flagg, the consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class, is more than just a potential top pick—he’s a generational talent. His combination of size, athleticism, skill, and defensive versatility has drawn comparisons to the likes of Kevin Garnett and Scottie Pippen. In his lone season in Durham, Flagg is expected to anchor both ends of the floor, providing elite rim protection while also serving as the offensive engine. His anticipated departure will leave a gaping hole that no single player can fill.

Knueppel, known for his elite shooting touch and basketball IQ, has the potential to be one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball. A smooth, polished wing, Knueppel brings a level of poise and maturity that’s rare in freshmen. His ability to stretch the floor and make plays in transition will be a key part of Duke’s offensive success in 2024–25. If his trajectory holds, his rise into the lottery conversation will only continue, adding to Duke’s long list of one-and-done stars.

Maluach, the 7-foot center from South Sudan, rounds out this elite trio. Still relatively new to the American basketball scene, Maluach’s ceiling is sky-high. With his mobility, length, and developing offensive game, he has scouts intrigued by his long-term potential. In a program that has recently developed big men like Dereck Lively II and Mark Williams, Maluach figures to be the next in line—and possibly the most talented of them all.

Replacing this level of talent is no small task. Scheyer will need to lean heavily on returning players, incoming recruits, and perhaps a key addition or two from the transfer portal. Fortunately for Duke, the 2025 recruiting class is shaping up well, and the program’s brand continues to attract top talent from around the country and the globe.

In addition to talent, leadership and chemistry will be pivotal. Scheyer, entering a critical year in his early coaching tenure, must not only develop a cohesive identity on the floor but also navigate the growing expectations that come with elite recruiting classes and NBA-caliber players cycling through the program annually.

While the Blue Devils’ outlook remains bright, the 2024–25 season could be defined by both its promise and its transitional nature. With Flagg, Knueppel, and Maluach likely NBA-bound after one year, the pressure is on for Duke to make a deep tournament run—and for Scheyer to continue proving that the program remains in good hands post-Krzyzewski.