Brad Stevens Finally Speaks Out About Celtics’ Interest in Duke Phenom Cooper Flagg—Is Boston Planning a Shocking Move?

It’s the headline lighting up sports talk shows, message boards, and social media threads alike: Brad Stevens, President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics, has finally broken his silence on the franchise’s rumored interest in college basketball’s biggest rising star—Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg. And while Stevens’ comments were measured, the implications are sending shockwaves across the NBA.

Who Is Cooper Flagg?

Before diving into what Stevens had to say, let’s remind ourselves why Cooper Flagg’s name is being spoken with such awe. The 6’9″ freshman out of Maine is already a household name among college basketball fans. With elite shot-blocking instincts, a silky shooting stroke, explosive athleticism, and a freakish basketball IQ, Flagg has drawn comparisons to everyone from Kevin Durant to a young Larry Bird—high praise for an 18-year-old just beginning his collegiate journey.

At Duke, Flagg has already shown flashes of generational talent, dominating preseason scrimmages and quickly becoming the focal point of media attention. NBA scouts have been circling since high school, but his transition to the NCAA spotlight has only intensified the hype.

Why Would the Celtics Be Interested?

The Boston Celtics are a powerhouse. With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and a deep, championship-caliber roster, they’re not exactly desperate for young talent. So why would a team on the brink of an NBA title be connected to an 18-year-old rookie with no pro experience?

Because Cooper Flagg isn’t just another prospect—he could be the future of the league.

NBA insiders have hinted that several teams, including those already contending, are carefully monitoring Flagg’s development with long-term strategic thinking in mind. The Celtics, known for their deep scouting department and Stevens’ methodical approach to team-building, would be foolish not to keep an eye on a player of Flagg’s caliber—even if acquiring him seems unlikely on the surface.

Brad Stevens Breaks His Silence

Until now, Stevens had remained tight-lipped. But in a recent interview following the Celtics’ playoff win, he was asked point-blank about the organization’s reported interest in Flagg.

Stevens didn’t dodge the question.

“Cooper’s a tremendous talent,” he said. “He’s got the kind of two-way potential that you don’t see very often. We’ve been watching him like everyone else. But right now, our focus is on winning basketball games and maximizing this current group.”

It was a classic Stevens response: complimentary, professional, and noncommittal. But for those who know how to read between the lines, there was a clear acknowledgment of interest—and that’s all it took to ignite speculation.

A Closer Look at the Strategy

For a team like Boston to land a player like Flagg, several unlikely—but not impossible—scenarios would have to unfold. The Celtics would either need to trade for a high draft pick (which would come at a steep cost), or Flagg would have to fall further in the draft than expected (extremely unlikely, barring injury or surprise decisions).

But this is the NBA. Stranger things have happened.

Stevens has shown he’s willing to think long-term and make bold moves when the time is right. Whether it’s trading Kemba Walker for Al Horford, signing Kristaps Porziņģis, or building one of the most versatile rosters in the league, he’s not afraid to shake things up.

Could Stevens be laying the groundwork for something big?

The Bigger Picture: Life After the Tatum-Brown Era?

Another layer to this story is Boston’s future. While the Tatum-Brown tandem is just entering its prime, no era lasts forever. Smart franchises are always planning five steps ahead, and Cooper Flagg might represent the next foundational piece when that time comes.

Even if Flagg never dons green and white, having a strong scouting profile on him is essential. Remember, the Celtics have a track record of drafting or signing players years after first showing interest. Al Horford, for example, was on Boston’s radar long before he ever signed with the team.

Fans React

Celtics Nation is buzzing.

“He’s exactly the kind of guy we need in the next era,” one fan wrote on Reddit. “Stevens knows what he’s doing. If he’s watching Flagg, there’s a reason.”

Others were more skeptical.

“Unless we completely tank or trade our whole bench, we’re not getting him,” another fan said. “I love Flagg, but let’s be real—it’s a pipe dream.”

Still, the excitement is undeniable. Having a name like Flagg even remotely tied to Boston gets the blood pumping. In a league that thrives on storylines, this one has all the ingredients: a rising college superstar, a championship contender, and a front office that plays chess while others play checkers.

What Comes Next?

For now, the Celtics remain focused on their title pursuit. But Stevens’ acknowledgment has opened the door to a hundred “what ifs.” Will Boston find a trade path to a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft? Could a surprise trade involving future assets be brewing? Or is this simply the front office doing its due diligence?

Either way, the Cooper Flagg conversation isn’t going away any time soon.

Final Thoughts

Brad Stevens didn’t give us a headline-grabbing quote. He didn’t announce a plan to trade up or signal any aggressive pursuit. But in a league where every word from a front office exec is measured, even his slight nod toward Cooper Flagg means something.

Is Boston planning a shocking move? Maybe. Maybe not.

But one thing is certain: The Celtics are watching. And so is the rest of the basketball world.

Whether it’s a masterstroke in the making or just savvy scouting, the mere mention of Flagg and Boston in the same sentence has already captured imaginations—and that’s exactly how legends begin.

Robert Griffin III suggests that Duke Blue Devils basketball sensation Cooper Flagg’s move to the Mavericks was manipulated

After trading future Hall-of-Famer Luka Doncic to the Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks secured the top choice in the NBA Draft Lottery, despite having just a 1.8% chance prior. The Mavs are expected to select Cooper Flagg as their top selection in June, according to multiple reports.

The Duke basketball legend was named Naismith Player of the Year as a freshman and led the Blue Devils in all major statistical categories – points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks – prior to their Final Four appearance.

Given Dallas’ extremely low pre-draft odds at the No. 1 pick, many have accused the NBA of rigging the lottery to benefit the Mavs. Former NFL Rookie of the Year and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III addressed the possibility of a rigged lottery on Twitter.

“Dear NBA fans, this is a safe environment. Is the NBA Draft Lottery rigged? “Why or why not?” Griffin tweeted. “The Dallas Mavericks completed the worst transaction in NBA history, sending Luka Doncic to the Lakers, and were rewarded with the first selection in the draft lottery, which may potentially draft Cooper Flagg. WHAT!?”

Most basketball fans questioned the rationale of Mavs general manager Nico Harrison’s decision to sell Doncic, and now some of those same fans are claiming Harrison knew his team would get the No. 1 pick all along. Griffin III supported this conspiracy allegation with evidence from previous draft lotteries.

“Does trading your Superstar in his prime = winning the NBA Lottery #1 pick,” Griffin said. “The Magic traded T-Mac in 2004 and won the lottery to choose Dwight Howard in 2004. The Pelicans traded AD in 2019 and won the lottery to choose Zion in 2019. Even the Cavaliers won the lottery in 2011 after losing LeBron in 2010 to choose Kyrie Irving.

While Griffin III’s few examples don’t prove anything, the former NFL quarterback isn’t the only one sceptical of foul play by Adam Silver and the NBA. In a subsequent tweet, he elaborated on Dallas’s selection as the #1 pick.

“The fix is definitely in, but whether the NBA Draft lottery is rigged or not, the NBA just saved Nico Harrison’s job,” according to Griffin. “Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis is an unbelievable potential big 3 in Dallas.”

Ben Grunert

Ben Grunert is a sports journalist located in Atlanta. He is a FanSided contributor who covers three NBA teams: the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Denver Nuggets. He was previously an NBA writer for NBA Analysis Network and a contributor to 8 Points, 9 Seconds (FanSided’s Indiana Pacers website). He is also a former NCAA tennis player and an avid Celtics supporter.

Am Duke Blue Devils No Matter Where I Am: Am Blues Forever

There is something deeply spiritual about college sports. The loyalty, the tradition, the heart, the pride—these elements transcend state lines and borders. For me, it all boils down to one truth: I am Duke Blue Devils no matter where I am. Whether I’m watching from my couch in a different time zone, repping the blue and white while walking through a foreign city, or arguing with Tar Heel fans in an airport lounge, my heart beats in sync with Cameron Indoor Stadium. I am, and will always be, Blues forever.

Loyalty to a team like Duke isn’t just about wins and banners, though those certainly help. It’s about identity. It’s about how a team can represent excellence, discipline, intelligence, and heart. It’s about the memories tied to buzzer beaters and tournament runs. It’s about walking into any room, seeing someone in that same shade of Duke blue, and knowing you speak the same language—basketball, pride, tradition. Even when the team is going through tough seasons, even when players graduate or enter the draft early, that connection never fades. We don’t switch teams like we change shoes. We bleed blue.

I can’t forget the first time I saw a Duke game. It wasn’t live in Cameron—though I’ve since made that pilgrimage—it was on TV, with the energy vibrating through the screen. It was J.J. Redick lighting up the scoreboard, it was the Cameron Crazies jumping in a sea of controlled chaos, it was Coach K prowling the sideline like a general. I didn’t understand everything about college basketball then, but I understood emotion, passion, and unity. Duke had it all.

That passion only grew over the years. It followed me to high school, to college, and into adult life. When life changed, when I moved to different cities or worked different jobs, when I met people from other corners of the world, one thing stayed consistent—Duke. That’s the power of true fandom. It’s a form of home.

Many people outside the Duke community often see the school as elite, privileged, and arrogant. Let them. They don’t understand the grind that defines our players, the brotherhood that forms between teammates, the legacy that Coach K built from the ground up and passed on to Jon Scheyer. They don’t know the pressure of being a Duke player, how the name on the jersey comes with weight, scrutiny, and expectations. To be Duke is to carry the pressure of greatness and still show up and deliver.

What makes the Duke fandom even stronger is that it is forged in fire. We are hated. We are envied. We are always the team everyone wants to beat. That just fuels our loyalty. It would be easy to support a Cinderella team or a loveable underdog, but rooting for Duke takes a certain level of commitment. We are judged for our success, accused of favoritism, blamed for the system’s faults. But true fans don’t flinch. We wear that hatred like armor.

The Duke-Carolina rivalry is the heartbeat of college basketball. It’s more than just a game; it’s a war waged in hardwood battles and chants and color. When you’re a Duke fan, you don’t just cheer for your team—you take it personally. You remember every missed call, every buzzer-beater, every iconic play. You wear the heartbreaks and victories like scars. You know the feeling of sweet revenge and the sting of bitter losses. And you show up again and again, because it’s not just a game—it’s part of who you are.

I’ve met Duke fans in every corner of the world. I’ve seen people in Blue Devils caps in airports in Asia, in bars in Europe, in taxis in Africa. There’s always a nod of recognition, a brief smile of mutual understanding. It doesn’t matter where we are—we carry Duke with us. We follow recruiting news, we stream games at 3 AM, we watch highlight reels like gospel. We don’t just cheer when the team is good; we endure the off-seasons, the rebuilding years, the one-and-done transitions.

And let’s talk about the players. Duke is more than just a school—it’s a launching pad for legends. From Grant Hill to Kyrie Irving, from Shane Battier to Zion Williamson, from Jason Williams to Brandon Ingram, the list reads like a basketball hall of fame. And yet, despite all the talent, the team always feels unified. It never feels like a group of individuals chasing stats. It’s a family. The Brotherhood isn’t just a hashtag; it’s a real culture.

Even when our players go to the NBA, we follow them. We root for the Pelicans because of Zion, for the Celtics because of Tatum. And when they succeed, we cheer not just for their talent, but for the Duke DNA that they carry into the league. That connection never breaks. Once a Blue Devil, always a Blue Devil.

People often ask what it means to be a fan from afar. How do you feel connected to a school you didn’t attend, or a team that plays thousands of miles away? My answer is simple: fandom is not about geography. It’s about heart. It’s about belief. It’s about a connection so deep that it becomes a part of you. You don’t choose to be a Duke fan—you feel it, you live it. And once you do, there’s no going back.

I’ve watched Duke games alone in hotel rooms and surrounded by strangers in packed watch parties. I’ve screamed at TV screens and cried after heartbreaking losses. I’ve lost my voice after Final Four thrillers and stayed up late rewatching highlights from decades ago. That’s what it means to be Blues forever. It’s more than a phase. It’s a lifestyle.

Critics will say we’re too intense, too smug, too obsessed. But we don’t care. We don’t want fair-weather fans. We don’t want half-hearted cheers. We want those who understand what it means to wear that blue, to scream “Let’s go Duke!” even when we’re down, to clap in rhythm with the Cameron Crazies even when you’re thousands of miles away.

Being a Duke fan means always carrying that fire with you. It means seeing a Duke logo and feeling a sense of pride. It means looking forward to March Madness like it’s a national holiday. It means believing in our program, in our legacy, in our future. It means knowing that no matter where you go, no matter how far life takes you, you’ll always be connected by something unshakable.

So yes, I am Duke Blue Devils no matter where I am. From Durham to Dubai, from the student section to the sidelines of memory, from championship highs to rebuilding lows—I am with them. I am one of them. I am Blues forever. And I always will be.

Ex-Duke Basketball Signee Suffers Significant Ranking Decline

Since withdrawing from the Duke basketball program a few weeks ago, Shelton Henderson has experienced a decline in his reputation.

In early November, Bellaire High School (Texas) forward Shelton Henderson declared his dedication to Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils. According to 247Sports, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound senior was ranked as the 15th-best prospect in the 2025 class among his peers. In February, he advanced one position to No. 14.

However, Henderson withdrew his commitment to the Blue Devils in mid-April. A few days later, he made a commitment to the Miami Hurricanes, joining the program’s new head coach, Jai Lucas, who departed from the Duke basketball bench at the conclusion of the regular season after serving as one of Scheyer’s top assistants in Durham for three years.

Henderson is no longer considered a five-star prospect by the staff at 247Sports. This week, the site’s final 2025 rankings update has lowered him by 11 spots to No. 25 overall in the cycle. That represents the most significant decline of any player who was in the top 30 before the update.

15 five-star recruits in the FINAL 2025 Top247 Rankings. 🚨

MORE: https://t.co/NRVR2ezlqy pic.twitter.com/AAoeSM3IDX

— 247Sports (@247Sports) May 7, 2025

The cycle currently ranks all three of Duke’s remaining 2025 signees above Shelton Henderson: five-star forward Cameron Boozer, five-star forward Nikolas Khamenia, and four-star guard Cayden Boozer.

The 2025 Blue Devil collection is ranked No. 1 in the ACC and No. 3 in the nation.

MATT GILES

The editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, Matt Giles, is a critical source for comprehensive coverage of these renowned college basketball programs. Matt has been committed to delivering exclusive content, breaking news, and in-depth analysis on all three teams since joining SI in 2022. He addresses a wide range of topics, including recruiting updates, player profiles, and game previews and summaries. Matt’s work has become a go-to resource for admirers and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC due to his expert knowledge of these teams. He is responsible for structuring the editorial direction to guarantee that his audience receives the most pertinent and punctual information in his capacity as publisher.