The Boston Celtics are facing a challenging 2025-26 season with Jayson Tatum sidelined by a devastating Achilles tear, prompting speculation about a potential rebuild. One tantalizing rumor has been the possibility of landing Duke Blue Devils star and Maine native Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With Flagg’s New England roots and a reported meeting between Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and Flagg at the scouting combine, fans have been buzzing about a blockbuster deal to bring the young phenom to Boston. However, ESPN analyst and former Duke assistant coach Jay Bilas has poured cold water on this narrative, dismissing it as an overblown conspiracy.
In an exclusive interview on Sunday, ahead of the 2025 American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Resort, Bilas addressed the Flagg-to-Boston rumors with skepticism. He argued that the idea of Flagg’s homecoming to New England is largely irrelevant, drawing a historical parallel to Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller. “When Reggie Miller was drafted, everybody in Indiana wanted Steve Alford. Who cares where Reggie grew up? He actually grew up not far from me. I played against him in high school, but who cares that he was from California? He turned out to be a Pacer for life,” Bilas said. He emphasized that a player’s hometown rarely dictates their NBA destination, pointing to examples like LeBron James spurning the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 and 2018, and Kevin Durant consistently bypassing the Washington Wizards.
Bilas also questioned the feasibility of the Dallas Mavericks, who are expected to hold the No. 1 pick, trading Flagg. “I think he’s a player you keep,” Bilas stated firmly. “I’m not sure that just, you know, where he grew up, means all that much.” He suggested that Dallas views Flagg as a potential franchise cornerstone for decades and is unlikely to entertain trade offers, regardless of what Stevens might propose. “I can’t imagine a package that would be that attractive,” Bilas added, noting that the Mavericks’ stance on retaining Flagg appears unyielding.
The Celtics’ situation adds complexity to the speculation. With Tatum out for the season and a new ownership group managing a massive $500 million payroll, Boston faces tough decisions about its championship window and long-term roster strategy. “Everything’s on the table for Boston because of the size of that payroll,” Bilas explained. “That’s real money. So I think any team that feels like they’re still in a championship window, but with Jayson Tatum basically out for the year, that puts everything on the table as to what’s the best thing to do long term with that roster and with the assets that they have available.”
As the Celtics navigate this pivotal offseason, the Flagg rumor seems more like wishful thinking than a realistic possibility. Bilas’s comments highlight the fading allure of the “hometown hero” narrative in the NBA and underscore Dallas’s commitment to building around Flagg. For now, Celtics fans dreaming of Flagg donning the green and white may need to temper their expectations.
Bilas provided these insights during media availability for the 2025 American Century Championship, where he will be among 91 competitors at the celebrity golf tournament held from July 9-13 at Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Stateline, Nevada.