Should Cooper Flagg Run It Back With Duke as a Big “Screw You” to Nico Harrison and the Mavs?…

Should Cooper Flagg Run It Back With Duke as a Big “Screw You” to Nico Harrison and the Mavs?

 

The basketball world has been buzzing with the question: should Cooper Flagg return to Duke for another year instead of entering the 2025 NBA Draft — and do it as a pointed message to Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks?

The context: Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, is a generational talent. His freshman season at Duke showed why scouts have been salivating over him for years — elite athleticism, two-way dominance, and an off-the-charts basketball IQ. But recent buzz has suggested that the team with the top pick might be the Dallas Mavericks, who acquired it via a surprise lottery win and could be staring at a post-Luka Doncic future. Rumors also swirl about a chilly relationship between Flagg’s camp and Mavs GM Nico Harrison, whether due to fit, philosophy, or behind-the-scenes tension.

This raises the question: Should Flagg take the nuclear option and stay at Duke — not just to develop further, but to avoid Dallas and send a message?

From a business standpoint, returning to Duke isn’t the penalty it once was. With NIL deals, Flagg could earn millions next year without ever touching an NBA floor. He’s already one of college basketball’s biggest names, and another year in Durham would likely see his brand — and bank account — continue to grow. The risk of injury is real, but so is the reward of entering a better NBA situation a year later.

On the flip side, some argue that avoiding a team via this kind of move sets a dangerous precedent. If top prospects can leverage college eligibility to essentially “vote” on where they play, it could upend the draft system’s already fragile parity. And let’s be real — skipping out on the NBA just to spite a GM could be viewed as immature, even if the motives feel justified.

There’s also the question of Luka Doncic. Would Flagg really want to pass up the chance to play with one of the greatest offensive talents of this generation? If Doncic sticks around, Dallas becomes a much more attractive destination. If he demands out, though, the team becomes far less stable — and Flagg would be walking into a rebuild.

Some insiders believe Flagg is the type of player who relishes competition, regardless of the setting. That may mean he’s more likely to rise to the challenge in Dallas than avoid it. Others close to Duke suggest he loves the college environment and wouldn’t mind “running it back” — especially if it doubles as a message to doubters, detractors, and maybe even front-office figures like Harrison.

Ultimately, Flagg’s decision will come down to more than just spite — but the drama surrounding it adds fuel to an already fiery debate. Is Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium about to see another year of Flagg? Or will he head to the NBA, regardless of the destination?

Either way, the ball’s in Cooper’s court — literally and figuratively.