Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif
Cooper Flagg should, barring a catastrophe, land in the NBA with the status of a No. 1 pick, and thus an already substantial annual salary. However, this would not even come close to the crazy sum he has already amassed in recent months.
Although he didn’t manage to bring the college title to Duke, his NCAA season put everyone in agreement. A true sparkler for the Blue Devils, Cooper Flagg confirmed his status as the best prospect in his age group. All the experts therefore agree that he will be selected first overall in the upcoming draft, probably by the Mavericks.
This honor should also enable the young American winger to get his hands on a very handsome check. According to Spotrac’s estimates, the future first pick will inherit a four-year, $62.7 million contract. The kind of financial argument that would have convinced anyone to join the NBA… but not necessarily in this case.
Cooper Flagg paid less in the NBA than in the NCAA?
Despite his undeniable talent and ability to shine in the NBA right now, Flagg’s future was shrouded in uncertainty for a long time before he was officially entered in the Draft. It has to be said that the NCAA’s new regulations, which allow its athletes to collect their image rights, changed everything. Including for the 18-year-old phenomenon, who has already put his hands on an XXL sum according to Howard Bryant of 92nd Street Y :
Howard Bryant: Do you know how much money Cooper Flagg made in one year at Duke?
Bob Costas: No, I don’t know.
Howard Bryant: I know. He made $28 million. He had a $13 million deal with New Balance and a $15 million deal with Fanatics.
In view of such figures – which must nevertheless be taken with a grain of salt – it seems logical that Flagg and his representatives might have been reluctant to leave Duke. Many Internet users shared this thought and were shocked by the mention of such a substantial amount:
@BTCBabyBull: He doesn’t need the NBA, the NBA needs him
@HoopSpaces: Taking a paycut to play in the NBA with a rookie contract is wild
@PrizePicks: He didn’t even have to go to the league
@ClarenceBeeksJr: With that kind of money, I wouldn’t be in a hurry at the thought of having Dillon Brooks whisper in my ear in the pros
It should be noted that the referenced site On3 estimates Flagg’s NIL revenues at “only” $4.8 million, which adds a little nuance to this opaque dossier.