When New Balance dropped a teaser announcing their deal with Cooper Flagg on Monday, it came with its own twist. His surprising decision to sign with New Balance, while still bound by a Duke Blue Devils deal to wear Nike on the court, is sparking mixed reactions, including sharp criticism from former NBA star Nick Young.

Speaking on ‘On the Corner with Swaggy P’ podcast on Tuesday, Nick Young expressed his disappointment with Flagg’s choice, arguing that the young star should have stuck with Nike to secure his future in the NBA’s marketing machine. The statements Young spoke were in direct contrast to the popular narrative among Flagg’s fan base. “I think for him it would have been dope to have the machine behind him. Once LeBron leaves, I think Nike needs somebody. And it’s hard the way they pumping him he could be one of the next millennium guys coz you know I don’t think it’s hard to find one, “ Young stated.

“I think Ant-Man might be it but it’s tough once LeBron leaves who we got. That’s going to be that like Millenium guy that you people going to cry and when they retire it’s like damn the league who  who is that guy I think Nike pumps them, guys. Nike makes them guys them guys I think… I don’t see New Balance doing that. Not going to wear New Balances and sh** like that. I don’t see nobody wearing New Balances at 24,” Young added on the ‘On the Corner with Swaggy P’ podcast.

Flagg, who is at present projected to be the number one pick in the NBA 2025 draft, had held off NBA greats such as LeBron James in a scrimmage against Team USA before the Olympics. Coupled with his exemplary talent, Flagg is regarded as the upcoming next big thing in basketball. Hence, when New Balance dropped a teaser with Flagg on Monday that showed him playing basketball in his driveway donning NB sneakers, it must have surprised Young who recommends that Flagg should have instead tried to script an agreement with Duke Blue Devils’s sponsor Nike.

Young also suggested that Flagg could have filled the void left by LeBron James’s eventual retirement if he had partnered with Nike. The only other player who is being marketed as an upcoming megastar is Anthony Edwards. The 23-year-old plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA and was drafted as the first overall pick during the 2020 draft. And getting a gold in the recently concluded Paris Olympics only added to his credibility.

Surprisingly, Ant-Man has a deal with the sporting company Adidas which has lower revenue compared to Nike, even when combined with Puma at one point in time. Therefore, as per Young, all this makes it a perfect moment for Flagg to sign with Nike and become the next big thing, which has been demonstrated in their previous deals with other NBA stars.

Stars who signed a deal with Nike?

Nike’s history of turning young athletes into global icons, as seen with NBA legend Michael Jordan and LeBron James, underscores Young’s belief that Flagg might have missed a major opportunity by choosing New Balance.

While with James, they released the Nike LeBron, with Kobe Bryant, they had the Nike Kobe. Though both were them had exceptional talent when the deal was signed it cannot be denied that Nike marketed them well, making them the next big thing in the NBA. Hence, every budding athlete wants to have their signature shoes with the billion-dollar company.

Flagg’s decision remains a topic of debate, but his on-court performance will ultimately determine whether New Balance or Nike was the better fit for this potential generational talent.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.