“Even for Cooper just you know he can rebound more, you know just the the the decision, there’s so much there for him.” That’s how Duke Blue Devils head coach had acknowledged Cooper Flagg’s debut in blue during an exhibition game last month. Now, the highly anticipated top NBA prospect has officially started his NCAA journey, posting an impressive 18 points against Maine in his season debut. While his performance was solid, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, who recently speculated about Flagg possibly replacing an NBA veteran at the Atlanta Hawks, has now made comments casting doubt on Flagg’s future on the pro stage.

Recently, a clip from NBA legend Gilbert Arenas’ show, Gil’s Arena, surfaced on X, where Arenas weighed in on Cooper Flagg’s future. Discussing Flagg’s debut performance for Duke against Maine, Arenas noted, “He had 18 but he struggled against Maine.” Later, he went on to suggest how this could put Flagg’s projection as a potential top pick in the NBA draft at risk or he might land in a team he probably not wish for. 

“If I’m him and Utah is the the number one pick I need to Jayson Tatum this joint I don’t know if I want to be the number one pick. If I’m supposed to be the next thing I don’t know if I want to be in Utah as my brand,” mentioned Arenas. He once again brought his performance against Maine in conversation and elaborated,  “If you’re the number one pick and you average 15 right Duke and then you got the Bailey kid at  Rutgers averaging damn near 25…..”

As Arenas shared his take, the co-hosts seemed to catch on quickly, nodding in agreement that teams might lean towards Ace Bailey instead. While Bailey, the highly-rated Rutgers guard, missed his season opener due to an undisclosed practice injury, he’s still regarded as a five star prospect. His preseason play turned heads, especially with a 25-point game against St. John’s. Coming off an impressive high school career where he averaged 33.4 points and 15.5 rebounds, Bailey has already set high expectations for his NCAA debut.

On the other hand, Flagg showed some promise against Maine in season opener, putting up 18 points—but his performance wasn’t without its struggles. Hitting just 6 of his 15 field-goal attempts, Flagg seemed to leave his renowned shooting skills back in the locker room. Known for his sharpness from deep, he went 0-for-4 from beyond the arc, making fans wonder if first-game nerves played a role in his shooting slump.

While Arenas’ take certainly carried weight—especially considering the high expectations surrounding the 2025 NBA projected No. 1 pick—it’s worth noting that just days earlier, it was only him discussing the idea of adding Flagg to the Atlanta Hawks roster. At the time, he even suggested trading away NBA veteran, Trae Young, to make room for him.

Can Cooper Flagg replace Atlanta Hawk veteran Trae Young?

At just 17, Cooper Flagg made the bold move to reclassify from the Class of 2025 to 2024, aiming for an earlier shot at the NBA. Playing for Montverde Academy, Flagg already proved his potential, posting an impressive 20.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game last season. His standout performance didn’t go unnoticed, earning him the title of Gatorade Male Player of the Year—a fitting recognition for one of basketball’s brightest young talents.

So when Gilbert Arenas recently discussed the Atlanta Hawks’ future roster moves, he didn’t hesitate to throw Cooper Flagg’s name into the mix as a potential addition to strengthen the team. “I thought about it, we gotta get Cooper. Cooper or Ace Bailey or whatever, so let’s get rid of Trae Young and get these first-round picks. Or even Dylan Harper. We could get him. Let’s just move on from Trae, get Trae out to San Antonio,” the retired Washington Wizards legend had stated.

Though it’s uncertain if Flagg will officially declare for the NBA next year, the hype around him is undeniable. As the top-ranked college athlete in NIL value, he’s generating serious attention. Still, with legends like Gilbert Arenas shifting their opinions on him so quickly, questions linger about where the former Montverde Academy star will ultimately find himself in the pro landscape.