Inside The Thunder

Is Cooper Flagg Already on the OKC Thunder's Radar?

Highly-touted prospect Cooper Flagg is starting to turn NBA scout's heads, and OKC could be of those teams already impressed.
Nathan Aker|
Is Cooper Flagg Already on the OKC Thunder's Radar?
Is Cooper Flagg Already on the OKC Thunder's Radar?

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Oklahoma City Thunder

There are some high school stars emerging who have solid cases of being NBA draft headliners as one-and-done college prospects barring any unknown circumstances, and the Thunder could possibly have their eyes on a few.

One of those players being potential 2025 draftee Cooper Flagg, a 6-foot-8, explosive, shot-blocking forward. with guard-like playmaking skills. Hailing from Montverde Academy (FL), Flagg has seemingly jumped off the page in the high school and grassroots scene among basketball circles. Flagg recently took his first unofficial visit to Duke on Aug. 1.

Factoring in athleticism, ball-handling ability and positional size, Flagg is one that could fit very well with the Thunder’s core four in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Especially when examining Thunder GM Sam Presti’s stockpile of draft picks and full trade power, it’s not too far-fetched to assume Presti’s foresight of incoming prospects could position him to draft for Flagg down the line.

The 6-foot-8, 195-pound forward from Newport, Maine, is currently ranked No. 2 in his class behind forward Cameron Boozer, son of former NBA player Carlos Boozer. Although — following Nike EYBL’s Peach Jam and Flagg’s back-to-back performances of 35-plus points, 12-plus rebounds and 10-blocks for Maine United — the two 2025 forwards seem to be interchangeable in the No. 1 spot.

Presti isn’t afraid to pull the trigger and trade up for his desired player on draft night, either, as we saw him trade up two spots this June to get Cason Wallace. Albeit a small trade, it shows Presti won’t shy away from something he thinks will benefit the team due to uncertainty.

As it stands, Oklahoma City holds four first round selections in the 2025 NBA Draft, the draft Flagg will likely enter as a one-and-done prospect with an impending reclassification. OKC owns their own, Heat and Sixers firsts, as well as the best available swap between Houston and Philadelphia.

If OKC continues to play their cards right in maintaining and/or increasing trade power, it could put them in prime position to land a player like Flagg. It’s a little ways down the line, but Presti is assuredly already planning for that scenario.

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Nathan Aker
NATHAN AKER

Nathan is a senior at the University of Oklahoma majoring in Public Relations set to graduate in May 2024. He holds experience covering multiple sports, primarily basketball, at the high school and collegiate level. 

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