LeBron James isn’t shy when it comes to giving props to the next generation, and his latest praise is directed at Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg.
James and Steve Nash discussed the 2025 NBA Draft and the highly anticipated arrival of Flagg, the former Duke star who went No. 1 overall to Dallas. According to James, Flagg couldn’t be in a better situation to thrive right out of the gate.
“He has the benefit, unlike myself, he gets to join a team that’s established, with Hall of Fame guys,” James said on Mind the Game. “Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, right off the bat, Hall of Fame coach, Jason Kidd. These guys, they can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be. And I think that’s gonna be an incredible thing for him to have. That type of presence, that type of leadership, that type of just basketball IQ and knowledge around him every single day from those pieces. So, I think he’s going to be amazing.”
James, who entered the league as a No. 1 pick himself in 2003, can relate to the pressure Flagg now faces, but he’s quick to point out that the 17-year-old is walking into a much more stable and supportive environment.
Flagg, who averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game at Duke while shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc, was named national player of the year before declaring for the draft.
He now joins a Mavericks team stacked with experience and championship pedigree.
Being surrounded by future Hall of Famers and a coach with championship experience in Dallas certainly gives Flagg a clear developmental edge.
