Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins has never been one to hold back his opinions, and his latest round of takes has sent shockwaves through the basketball world. Appearing on Run It Back, Cousins made three particularly bold claims: Ace Bailey should be the No. 1 overall pick over Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks should trade the No. 1 pick for Kevin Durant, and he would take Jalen Brunson over Luka Doncic.
Cousins’ first take challenged the consensus surrounding the 2025 NBA Draft. While Duke’s Cooper Flagg has long been projected as the top pick, Cousins believes Rutgers’ Ace Bailey deserves the honor.
“I like Ace Bailey. To me, Ace Bailey is the No. 1 pick. I think he’s the closest thing we’ve seen to Tracy McGrady,” Cousins said.
DeMarcus Cousins on Ace Bailey:
“He’s the closest thing we’ve seen to Tracy McGrady.” 👀
via @RunItBackFDTV
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) May 20, 2025
Bailey has been widely regarded as a top-three prospect, but few analysts have placed him ahead of Flagg. While Bailey’s scoring ability is undeniable, concerns about his ball-handling and shot selection have kept him behind Flagg and Dylan Harper in most mock drafts.
Cousins also suggested that the Mavericks, who won the draft lottery, should trade the No. 1 pick for Kevin Durant. Given Dallas’ recent struggles following the Luka Doncic trade, Cousins believes the team should prioritize immediate championship contention rather than developing a young prospect.
However, this idea seems unlikely. Durant, while still an elite scorer, is nearing the twilight of his career, and trading a potential franchise cornerstone like Flagg for a veteran could be a risky move.
Perhaps the most shocking take of all was Cousins’ preference for Jalen Brunson over Luka Doncic. While Brunson has blossomed into a star with the New York Knicks, many still view Doncic as one of the league’s top five players. Cousins, however, believes Brunson’s leadership and efficiency make him the better option.
Cousins’ comments have sparked intense debate among fans and analysts. While some appreciate his willingness to challenge conventional wisdom, others believe his takes are too extreme.
