NBA Legend Tony Allen Criticizes Duke’s Cooper Flagg Ahead of 2025 Draft
Grizzlies legend Tony Allen has shared some harsh opinions about Cooper Flagg, the highly touted Duke prospect expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, currently held by the Dallas Mavericks.
Flagg has been the focal point of the 2025 draft class for good reason. He has put together one of the most impressive one-and-done college careers in recent memory, leading Duke to the Final Four, winning multiple Player of the Year awards, and living up to the hype surrounding him as the future No. 1 pick. Over 37 games, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 48% from the field, 39% from three-point range, and 84% from the free-throw line.
Despite his stellar performance, one former NBA great doesn’t share the same level of enthusiasm. On a recent episode of the GrindCityMedia podcast, Tony Allen, a six-time NBA All-Defensive selection, expressed skepticism about Flagg’s future.
“I don’t think Cooper Flagg is going to turn your franchise around like that,” Allen said. “I’m serious. I ain’t seeing KD. I’m just not seeing all that. I’m seeing Andrei Kirilenko. That’s who I’m seeing, bro.”
Allen went further, predicting Flagg would be a “one-time All-Star” and said he wasn’t particularly impressed by the Duke star. His remarks reflect a broader skepticism of Duke players in general.
While being compared to Andrei Kirilenko—who had a strong career with the Utah Jazz—isn’t necessarily an insult, it contrasts sharply with the expectations surrounding Flagg. In fact, many analysts project Flagg to have a more impactful, long-term NBA career.
As an NBA Draft scouting report from Sports Illustrated notes, Flagg is the exact type of player NBA teams covet: a 6-foot-9 versatile player who can dominate both ends of the floor. On top of that, he’s incredibly young—he won’t turn 19 until two months into his rookie season.
Despite Allen’s critique, the Mavericks are expected to stick with their plan to select Flagg with the No. 1 pick. The talented forward is seen as a cornerstone for the team’s future, alongside stars like Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. After the departure of Luka Dončić, Flagg’s two-way impact is exactly what Dallas needs as they look to rebuild.
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