Cooper Flagg plans to make a risky move that could put $400 million in his pocket if successful

In his first year at Duke, Cooper Flagg is having an impressive season. The young sensation is averaging an incredible 19.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
Flagg is the top favorite to be the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, the talented 18-year-old from Newport, Maine, revealed to The Athletic that he is considering staying at Duke for another year with the goal of winning an NCAA title.

$400 million could be at risk for Cooper Flagg

According to Colin Salao of Front Office Sports, Flagg is delaying his jump to the professional ranks, which could mean risking a potential multi-million-dollar deal estimated at nearly $400 million. Salao pointed out that if Flagg decides to stay for another year at college, he would delay the start of his second NBA contract.

“A rookie contract lasts four years, meaning that if he enters the 2025 draft, his second contract wouldn’t start until the 2029-2030 season,” he explained. “The highest rookie contract could be worth up to 30% of a team’s salary cap.
If the cap continues to rise by 10% annually (with a cap of $140.59 million for the 2024-2025 season), Flagg second deal could reach a stunning $398.5 million over five years, almost $80 million per year.”

Cooper Flagg risks injury and possibly not being signed later

Salao warns that postponing his NBA entry carries significant risk—a potential injury could prevent Flagg from securing a colossal contract. Salao mentions that if Flagg maintains his level, he will likely land big contracts throughout his career.
However, he points out that delaying a year of guaranteed life-changing money is a difficult decision to defend, especially when considering the risk of injury. What Flagg could earn next year through NIL funds would only be a fraction of what he could lose if he suffered an unexpected injury.