After a rough season following the loss of All-Star guard Damian Lillard to a Midwest team (Milwaukee Bucks) , the Portland Trail Blazers finished with a disappointing 21-61 record, tying them for the third-worst record in the NBA.
As the team look ahead to the 2024/25 season, it appears they’ve been dealt another challenging schedule.
Given the fierce competition in the Western Conference, Portland may find itself in a prime spot to lead the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes without even needing to deliberately tank, according to Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe also reports that the Blazers “will be bad by design ahead of a loaded 2025 draft” in hopes of securing Flagg.
Flagg, a native of Maine, is set to play at Duke this season and is considered the top prospect in the 2025 draft class, although there are other players vying for the number one pick.
Flagg recently signed a shoe deal with New Balance, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “The connection with New Balance as a family company and a company with Maine roots means a lot to me,” Flagg told ESPN.
Before the Paris Olympics, the 17-year-old proved he could hold his own during practices against Team USA stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.
Named Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year at the ESPYs back in July, Flagg led Montverde Academy to a flawless 34-0 record during his senior season, where he averaged 16.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game.
Reality check: Not only will the Blazers be pursuing Flagg, but many rival teams will also be tanking this season just to get a shot of this prospect. Which team are you betting on, by the way, for this talent who is clearly destined for stardom?