Udonis Haslem says he’d rather start a team with VJ Edgecombe over Cooper Flagg, and gets dunked on for it

The ongoing NBA trade speculation surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo has reached a fever pitch as the February 5 deadline approaches. Udonis Haslem, often regarded as the OG of the Eastern Conference, shared his desire to see the superstar find happiness despite the Milwaukee Bucks recently sliding to 12th place with an 18-27 record.

Haslem noted that leadership struggles and public criticism of teammates should remain “behind closed doors” rather than being aired in the media.

Haslem recently stirred the basketball community by weighing in on the upcoming draft class and identifying the player he would choose to build a franchise around. He clarified that while he recognizes the talent of other top prospects, his preference leans toward a specific type of versatile athlete that he believes offers more value to a winning culture.

“I know Cooper is doing his thing, I know Kon is doing his thing…VJ out of all these guys he is the two-way guy. This guy impacts the game regardless if the basketball is in his hands. If I am starting a team, I am starting my team with a two-way guy,” Oh No He Didn’t posted on X.

Udonis:

"I know Cooper is doing his thing, I know Kon is doing his thing…VJ out of all these guys he is the two-way guy. This guy impacts the game regardless if the basketball is in his hands. If I'm starting a team, I'm starting my team with a two-way guy" pic.twitter.com/LrsbRWhhBe

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 31, 2026

This bold claim triggered an immediate wave of criticism.

Duke men’s basketball replied by asking, “who’s gonna tell him,” while @All_Things_Mavs quipped that he should be known as “Udon’tknowball”.

Furthermore, @LetNicoCook argued that “Cooper and Kon has been anchoring their team’s defense more than VJ”.

This commitment to specific playing styles is also evident in how Haslem mentors current Heat prospects.

Haslem also provided critical insight into the recent tension between head coach Erik Spoelstra and rookie center Kel’el Ware. Following Spoelstra’s comments that Ware has been “stacking days in the wrong direction,” Haslem, who serves as a mentor to the young big man, offered a firm response. He warned that stepping onto the court without joy or energy essentially validates negative coaching reports.

As the trade deadline looms and young players continue to fight for their place in the rotation, the influence of a seasoned veteran like Haslem proves to be as relevant as ever in the modern NBA landscape.

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