Who wouldn’t want Cooper Flagg on their NBA roster? The Dallas Mavericks hit the jackpot, securing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, poised to select the top-rated prospect.
Yet, since the Draft Lottery revealed their fortune, chatter has swirled about the Mavericks potentially trading the No. 1 pick for established NBA stars.
Recently, NBA Champion Tony Allen weighed in, suggesting Dallas should consider a trade, as he’s skeptical about Flagg’s potential impact.
“I’m not convinced Cooper Flagg will be a franchise-changer,” Allen said on Grind City Media. “He’s good, no doubt, but I’m not seeing a Kevin Durant-level talent. To me, he’s more like Andrei Kirilenko.”
For context, Kirilenko, drafted 24th overall in 1999, carved out a solid career, earning NBA All-Star honors (2004), NBA All-Defensive First Team (2006), two NBA All-Defensive Second Team selections (2004, 2005), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2002), and leading the league in blocks (2005).
Andrei Kirilenko’s 16-year NBA career, spanning three teams and stints in the Russian league, was respectable but hardly legendary. Comparing Cooper Flagg, a prospect often mentioned alongside all-time greats, to Kirilenko is a baffling take from Tony Allen.
“He’s a one-time All-Star at best,” Allen doubled down on Grind City Media. “I’m not sold on these Duke kids. Look at recent ones… Flagg’s good, but his ceiling? Andrei Kirilenko.”
With Duke boasting a stacked 2025 draft class—including Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, and Tyrese Proctor—Allen’s dismissive comments are sure to rile up Blue Devil fans. His skepticism, especially about Flagg, feels like a direct jab at the program’s legacy.
Relatedly, an NBA All-Star recently argued that Rutgers’ standout should go before Flagg in the draft, adding fuel to the debate.
The 2025 NBA Draft’s first round tips off at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 25, with the second round following at the same time on Thursday, June 26.
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