LA Lakers forward LeBron James recently positioned Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on the same developmental trajectory as six-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard. He shared these thoughts during a Tuesday episode of the “Mind The Game” podcast, hosted by Steve Nash.

Starting at 26:36 in the episode, James said, “He can almost take the Kawhi [Leonard] route. We never saw Kawhi in any bad position out in his first couple of years. He learned at his own pace. He’s there with multiple Hall of Famers. It’s the same with Cooper [Flagg].”

LeBron James has previously praised Cooper Flagg’s versatility. On another episode of his podcast, he highlighted Flagg’s ability to play effectively both with and without the ball. The four-time NBA champion also contrasted Flagg’s situation with his own rookie year, noting that Flagg, the 2025 No. 1 pick, would be joining a team already stacked with Hall of Fame talent.

Cooper Flagg was selected first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, who won the draft lottery despite having very low odds—about 1.8%. Flagg entered the league after a notable college career at Duke University, where he averaged impressive stats: 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game.

He is set to make his NBA debut when the Mavericks open their season with a home game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

### What’s Next for Cooper Flagg Following LeBron James’ Praise?

Cooper Flagg begins his professional career with high expectations from both fans and analysts. The Mavericks are reportedly considering deploying him in various roles—potentially as a ball-handler, a point wing, or an inside-out player. The coaching staff will have to decide how quickly to rely on him as a major contributor versus easing him into the rotation gradually.

Transitioning from college basketball to the NBA will test Flagg’s adaptability and resilience. To unlock his full potential, he must improve in key areas, including consistent shooting and decision-making under pressure.

Fortunately, Flagg is joining a team with great veteran leadership. With support from established stars like Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, he has every tool at his disposal to succeed and thrive in the league.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-he-many-buffers-lebron-james-positions-cooper-flagg-flourish-6x-nba-all-star-s-path-reach-ultimate-star-potential