Image Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Cooper Flagg Expected to Make Around $1 Billion With his NBA Contracts By Age of 31

Would Cooper Flagg break all-time earning records across several leagues by the age of 31?

Image Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Former Duke Blue Devils superstar Cooper Flagg, who became the first overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft is likely to earn a whopping $1 billion by the age of 31. Flagg was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks on the first day of the two-day NBA event, on Wednesday, June 25. If all goes well and according to plan, Flagg is likely to earn close to $930 million with his NBA contracts by the time he turns 31.

According to a projection by Sportac, Flagg is already a superstar, which means that he would All-NBA Team and MVP voting criteria. He is expected to sign a four-year rookie contract with the Mavericks which would be worth $62.7 million, and runs through the 2028-29 season. Following the end of his rookie deal, Flagg could sign a supermax extension worth $359 million from the 2029-30 season through the 2033-34 campaign.

If Cooper Flagg is a superstar, the financial path forward is wild.

Rookie Contract
2025-2028: $62.7M

30% Supermax Extension
2029-2033: $359M

35% Supermax Extension
2034-2038: $509M

Total: $930M, and Flagg will be 31-years-old!
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 25, 2025

Breakdown of Cooper Flagg’s Projected Salary of $1 Billion

According to Sportac, Flagg would sign a $62.7 million worth of contract in his rookie season, which would run through the 2028-29 season. Following it, he could sign a 30% supermax extension by meeting the criteria through making All-NBA teams, winning MVP or DPOY, till the end of the 2032-33 season which would be worth $359 million. If it is assumed that Flagg continues to dominate the court, he could sign a 35% supermax extension which would be worth $509 million from 2034 through 2038.

This adds up to a total of $930 million, and by 2038, Flagg would be 31 years old. Notably, no player has ever come close to this kind of earnings in their early 30s in any league including the NBA, NFL, NHL, or MLB. The closest someone could get is the Los Angeles Lakers’ star LeBron James, who earned around $528.6 million throughout his career. He would be able to reach close to $581.3 million if he exercises his 2025-26 player option. Even then, it would still be around $300 million less than Flagg’s projected salary.

2025 NBA Draft

Cooper Flagg

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.