Boston Celtics reporter defends Cooper Flagg from competition criticism

Boston Celtics reporter Jay King of The Athletic took a stand on social media to defend Montverde Academy star Cooper Flagg, a star 16-year-old who figures to be one of the top draft picks in the 2025 NBA draft, from criticism coming from critics who aren’t sold on the Newport, Maine native.

“AAU basketball gave me some of the best times in my life,” King wrote in a tweet responding to a basketball Twitter account questioning if Flagg should play in the next age group up. “Some of the best friends too. (Cooper’s) hooping with his brother and his boys from Maine. Nothing better than that. Let him be a teenager and cherish the fun he’s having.”

King had previously implied that Flagg had a fan in LeBron James, who, according to King, was more interested in watching the 2023 Hoophall Classic MVP at the Peach Jam in South Carolina than watching Victor Wembanyama’s NBA Summer League debut.

“LeBron must have known the truth about Victor Wembanyama,” King prefaced before saying, “It’s telling he was at Peach Jam watching Cooper Flagg today instead. The real hoopers always know.”

The Boston Celtics likely won’t be in the running for Cooper Flagg

The reason why King is talking about Flagg isn’t because the Boston Celtics will be in contention to land him. If anything, Flagg is the 2025 NBA draft’s answer to the likes of Wembanyama, Zion Williamson, and Andrew Wiggins in terms of a player being hyped for a year leading into his draft.

Boston has supermax extensions waiting for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in the coming years — barring a last-minute change of heart from the Brown camp — and just traded for and extended Kristaps Porzingis. The Celtics being in contention for Flagg would mean the sky falling for a franchise that has been on the doorstep of Banner 18 for the better part of the last six years.