The Duke Blue Devils basketball program continues to make waves far beyond Cameron Indoor Stadium. As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, all eyes are on freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, while several former Blue Devils have made headlines in a flurry of high-impact NBA trades.
Flagg Poised to Go No. 1 Overall
Cooper Flagg, widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft, is expected to be selected first overall by the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks, who recently landed the No. 1 pick in a blockbuster deal involving Luka Dončić, are reportedly locked in on Flagg and have scheduled a private workout with the 6’9″ forward on June 17.
Sources close to the team suggest Dallas has no plans to host workouts for any other top prospects — a strong signal that Flagg is their franchise cornerstone of the future. NBA veterans like Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving have praised Flagg’s poise, basketball IQ, and ability to lead at a young age.
Blue Devils Alumni at the Center of Major NBA Trades
Several Duke alumni have also made recent headlines in the NBA:
Mark Williams was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers from the Charlotte Hornets, bringing his elite rebounding and rim protection to a team looking to rebuild under new head coach JJ Redick — himself a former Blue Devil.
Brandon Ingram is on the move to the Toronto Raptors after being dealt by the New Orleans Pelicans. Ingram joins a young Raptors core that already includes fellow Blue Devil RJ Barrett.
Marvin Bagley III found a new home with the Memphis Grizzlies after a short stint with the Wizards. The Grizzlies hope Bagley’s size and skill will complement their rising young talent.
Tre Jones was part of a blockbuster three-team trade that landed him with the Chicago Bulls. The deal also involved De’Aaron Fox heading to the Spurs and Zach LaVine joining the Kings.
More Duke Talent Enters 2025 NBA Draft
The Blue Devils are well-represented in this year’s draft pool, with several players projected to be selected:
Khaman Maluach, a 7’2” center, is expected to go seventh overall to the Toronto Raptors.
Kon Knueppel, a versatile guard, is projected to land with the San Antonio Spurs at eighth.
Tyrese Proctor and Sion James have drawn strong interest from teams like the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors, respectively.
Duke’s Legacy Marches On
From elite prospects like Flagg to seasoned NBA contributors like Ingram and Williams, the Duke basketball pipeline continues to influence the professional game at every level. With the 2025 NBA Draft just days away, the Blue Devil legacy shows no signs of slowing down.
