2025 NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg to Philly? Insider Says It’s the Perfect Fit
As the 2025 NBA Draft looms, there’s no mystery about who will go No. 1 overall—Cooper Flagg, Duke’s transcendent freshman phenom, is the consensus top pick. The only question is: who gets the lucky bounce?
The Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, and Utah Jazz currently hold the best odds at landing the first overall selection with a 14% chance each. But in a year where anything can happen in the lottery, it’s not just the bottom three teams dreaming of Flagg. One NBA insider has a particularly bold—and intriguing—prediction about where the 18-year-old superstar should land.
CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone says it loud and clear: Cooper Flagg belongs in Philadelphia.
“I would pick the Philadelphia 76ers…and it’s because of several reasons,” Boone shared during his appearance on CBS Sports’ HQ Spotlight. “They’ve got one of the most exciting young cores in the NBA. Jared McCain was fantastic before his injury, Tyrese Maxey is blossoming into a star, and Quentin Grimes has really impressed. I think adding Flagg could be the beginning of a new chapter in ‘The Process.’”
Boone’s take comes as a surprise to many, considering the Sixers finished a dismal 24-58 last season—fifth-worst in the NBA—despite lofty expectations. Their free agency splash, signing Paul George to a max contract, turned sour as both George and franchise centerpiece Joel Embiid missed extended time with injuries. What was supposed to be a title run turned into a lottery ticket.
But don’t be fooled: the Sixers aren’t a rebuilding team. They’re a wounded contender—and if healthy, one with massive upside. That’s what makes the Flagg-Philadelphia pairing so fascinating.
Imagine this core: Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes, and Cooper Flagg—with Embiid and George potentially back at full strength.
Flagg would bring exactly what the Sixers need: defensive tenacity, elite basketball IQ, positional versatility, and a motor that never stops. His presence would not only energize Philly’s young core but could also prolong Embiid and George’s title window.
And even if the veterans can’t return to full form, the Sixers’ youth movement is real. Maxey is already a borderline All-Star, McCain flashed Rookie of the Year potential before a meniscus injury, and Grimes and Adem Bona are showing steady development. Adding Flagg to that mix could elevate the team into a new era—where “The Process” finally produces a championship.
The Sixers have a 10.5% chance to land the No. 1 pick. Not the best odds—but far from impossible. And if the ping-pong balls fall their way, Cooper Flagg in red, white, and blue might not just be a dream—it could be the spark that ignites Philly’s long-awaited rise to the top.
Watch out NBA—Philadelphia might not be done processing just yet.
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