Cooper Flagg Draft Predictions: Hornets, Jazz, and Wizards Tied as Top Contenders

• The Hornets, Jazz and Wizards are co-favorites to draft Cooper Flagg
• Charlotte, Utah and Washington each have a 14% chance of earning the number 1 pick
• Keep reading to see the odds to draft Cooper Flagg for every eligible team

Last season, there was no silver lining for finishing last in the NBA standings. There was no generational prospect waiting in the Draft, but this year things are different. Cooper Flagg, one of the best freshman prospects ever, will be the number one selection. He has the potential to completely turn a franchise around, making the upcoming Draft Lottery must see TV.

Which Team Will Draft Cooper Flagg Odds

As it stands, the Hornets, Wizards and Jazz have the best odds to land the number one pick. The three worst teams in the league each have a 14% chance of winning the Lottery, with the odds of each team behind them being gradually worse.

Online sportsbooks are taking bets on which team will draft Cooper Flagg, with Charlotte, Washington and Utah all pegged as co-favorites at +550. Before you rush to make a wager however, it’s important to investigate if the odds being offered match the probability of the potential outcome.

Odds as of April 2nd. Claim the DraftKings promo code before making any NBA futures bets.

Tough Luck for the Last Place Team

Before we dive into the numbers, let’s touch on the talent that is Flagg. This is a 6’9″ forward, that can single handedly run an offense. He’s a lights out shooter, a precision passer, and a monster on the glass. Flagg averages 19 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4 assists per game, while also being a force in his own end.

Flagg’s ability to defend, and navigate switches has earned immense praise. He’s incredibly active on defense, averaging 1.5 blocks and steals per outing. There’s seemingly nothing he can’t do, and scouts believe he’s the best Duke prospect since Grant Hill in the NBA Draft odds.

As for recent Draft history, simply finishing last does not automatically grant you the right to pick first. Last season, the Pistons finished with the worst record in the NBA, but after the Draft Lottery dust settled, they wound up picking fifth.

The Hawks, who were a Play-In Tournament team, wound up with the first selection. Atlanta owned the 10th worst record last season, and had just a 3% chance to win the Lottery. In 2023, the Spurs won the Lottery after finishing with the second worst record. Detroit was once again last in the standings, and ended up picking fifth.

The last time the team with the NBA’s worst record won the Draft Lottery was in 2018. That was the Phoenix Suns, who used the number one pick on Deandre Ayton.

No Value on the Bottom-3

As for this year’s bottom-3, the odds being offered on them to win the chance to draft Flagg are not quite long enough. +550 odds implies a 15.38% chance of the outcome actually happening. With only a 14% chance to win the Lottery, that makes betting any one of the Hornets, Wizards and Jazz a minus-EV (expected value) wager. In order for it to be a break even bet, you would need +613 odds. Anything longer offers value, but anything shorter means you’re losing money in the long run.

The same goes for betting the Pelicans, 76ers, Nets and Raptors. The implied probability at their current odds is longer than their actual chance of winning the right to draft Flagg. It’s not until you get to the Bulls at +4000, do we see value.

Chicago owns the 10th worst record, giving them a 3% chance of winning the Lottery. The odds needed to make a break-even bet on that outcome would be +3230, making the Bulls +4000 price tag a steal.

Same goes for the Kings at +12000. Sacramento would have a 1% chance of winning the Lottery if the season ended today. In order for their odds to be a profitable long term bet, we’d need a +10000 price tag or longer. Given how stingy sportsbooks today are, getting an extra 20 points of value on any wager is an absolute bargain.

As the NBA draft approaches, all eyes are on top prospect Cooper Flagg and where he will land. The Hornets, Jazz, and Wizards have emerged as the top contenders to select the talented guard, with each team having their own unique reasons for wanting to add him to their roster.

The Charlotte Hornets are in need of a dynamic playmaker to pair with their young core of LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. Flagg’s scoring ability and playmaking skills would make him an ideal fit alongside Ball in the backcourt. His ability to create his own shot and distribute the ball would provide a much-needed boost to the Hornets’ offense.

The Utah Jazz are looking to add depth to their backcourt, and Flagg could be the perfect addition. With Donovan Mitchell leading the way, Flagg could come off the bench and provide instant offense for the Jazz. His shooting ability and basketball IQ would make him a valuable asset for a team looking to contend in the Western Conference.

The Washington Wizards are in need of a versatile wing player who can score from anywhere on the court. Flagg’s ability to score in a variety of ways would make him a great fit alongside Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. His size and athleticism would also give the Wizards added defensive versatility on the perimeter.

Overall, Cooper Flagg is a highly coveted prospect in this year’s draft class, and it’s no surprise that the Hornets, Jazz, and Wizards are all vying for his services. Whichever team ultimately selects him will be getting a talented player who has the potential to make an immediate impact at the NBA level. Keep an eye on draft night to see where Flagg ends up and how he can help his new team reach new heights.