Cooper Flagg decision: 2-time NBA champion sends powerful message to Utah Jazz over Duke Blue Devils star

Two-time NBA champion Vernon Maxwell has fired verbal shots, stirring controversy, and dragging the Utah Jazz into the middle of a racially charged conversation ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. 

Known for his outspoken on and off the court, Maxwell recently raised eyebrows with his blunt take on Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg and the Jazz’s potential decision to select him.

Speaking with basketball journalist Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, Maxwell didn’t mince words: 

“They send them white boys over there. When’s the last time Utah drafted a Black player? Do that!” 

His comments, while unfiltered, echo sentiments he’s held since his playing days.

Maxwell once claimed to experience racial hostility during matchups against the Karl Malone–John Stockton era Jazz.

Cooper Flagg, who lit up headlines with his play for Team USA Select ahead of the Paris Olympics, is tipped to be the No. 1 pick in this summer’s draft. 

However, the 18-year-old phenom from Maine, has yet to officially declare for the draft ahead of the April 26 deadline.

And Vernon Maxwell believes if Utah lands the no.1 pick, they should look away and consider alternatives like Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey, both of whom are Black prospects who have also been linked to top-five projections.

The Jazz, whose 2024–25 campaign ended in disappointment, are now laser-focused on the draft. 

With a 14.0% chance of securing the top pick, they are tied with Washington and Charlotte as the stakes couldn’t be higher. 

According to Tankathon, all three franchises share a 52.1% chance of drafting within the top four, making this year’s lottery one of the most crucial in recent memory.

While Utah has never held the No. 1 overall pick, the narrative around who they might select has now been clouded by Maxwell’s explosive remarks. 

Historically, the Jazz have been critiqued for their lack of diversity, and Maxwell’s recent comments revive those concerns at the most inconvenient time.

Should Utah secure the top pick, the expectation is that Flagg will be their man but if they pass, names like Harper, Bailey, and French phenom Alexandre Sarr could easily come into play. 

Either way, Maxwell’s message has put lots of eyes on not just who Utah selects, but also the reason behind their pick.