2025 NBA Draft Contract Projections: Anticipated Deals for Cooper Flagg and Other Top Draftees
A New Era of Earning: Cooper Flagg's Skyrocketing NBA Career
On draft night 2025, Cooper Flagg solidified his place in basketball history as the Dallas Mavericks' No. 1 pick. His journey began in Newport, Maine, and has captivated scouts and fans alike for years.
As the new face of the Mavericks, Flagg can anticipate earning around $60 million in his initial NBA contract, a sum that seems modest when considering his potential impact on the league. Echoing comparisons to legends like LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama, Flagg's rookie deal could be the foundation of a billion-dollar career.
A Star-Studded Start
Flagg isn't bound by his rookie salary constraints for long, as his unparalleled talent and marketability could skyrocket his earnings far beyond the standard salary scale. Entity deals with brands like New Balance, Fanatics, and Gatorade suggest a prosperous off-court career.
Meanwhile, the NBA's burgeoning media rights fees bring limitless potential for continued earnings. By 2026-27, players like Stephen Curry will surpass $60 million as their annual salary, paving the way for a new era of basketball earnings.
A Billion-Dollar Future
With his debut season mere months away, Flagg's rookie salary represents only the tip of the financial iceberg. His five-year, $359 million supermax extension, starting in 2029, and an additional five-year, $509 million deal at age 32, put his total NBA earnings potential at a staggering $930 million[3].
However, when accounting for endorsements and name, image, and likeness deals, Flagg stands poised to eclipse even the best-paid NBA icons like LeBron James and Stephen Curry[1][3].
A Genius Investment
In the words of New Balance marketing executive Naveen Lokesh, "Cooper is slated, if he does what he’s supposed to do, to probably reap over $1 billion on the court." The Mavericks have made an investment that could well pay off in more ways than one.
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Sources: [1] Forbes, [2] Spotrac, [3] Enrichment Data
Cooper Flagg's career in the NBA, as the Dallas Mavericks' top pick in the 2025 draft, is set to expand beyond his initial $60 million contract, with potential earnings reaching beyond the standard salary scale due to his unparalleled talent and marketability. As the new era of basketball earnings emerges, sports-analysis reveals how Flagg's off-court deals with brands like New Balance, Fanatics, and Gatorade, combined with the NBA's growing media rights fees, position him to surpass even the highest-paid NBA players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
