Capture the Flagg: The Pistons are up to their old tricks again

The chase is on!

The first week of the NBA season is in the books, and for some of us, that’s exciting because it means we’re closer to the end of the season. Closer to the draft. Closer to landing that one player who might finally change the fortunes of our awful team. Closer to Cooper Flagg.

For those unfamiliar with Flagg (you shouldn’t be), here’s what you need to know. He’s a 6-9 forward from Newport, Maine, with incredible length and athleticism, great defensive instincts and a good offensive game that continues to improve. He’s a freshman at Duke this year, but as the best prospect since Victor Wembanyama, he’ll be the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. At just 17 years old, Flagg was a member of the 2024 USA Select Team that trained with the national team ahead of the Paris Olympics. And he more than held his own!

Any team not in position to seriously contend for a title in the near future should be doing whatever it takes to give itself a chance to draft Flagg. That means lose … a lot. And most won’t have to try very hard, which makes these tank wars all the more compelling.

As a desperate yet hopeful Washington Wizards fan, I took it upon myself to track the biggest losers this season. You can come here for all things Flagg, including a ranking of the best tankers and updates on how Flagg is doing at Duke. Here’s where things stand after week one.