ESPN Analyst compares Cooper Flagg to LeBron James

“Cooper Flagg’s superpower is his versatility; he reminds me of LeBron James,” Biancardi tweeted out.

“Cooper Flagg has more than just a bag; he has a suitcase,” Biancardi posted as well on Saturday. “He delivers versatility on both ends with emphatic finishes, drives, and layups. He consistently makes his pull-up mid-range shots, and the ball comes off his hand with rhythm and quickness as his three-point shooting looks solid. He is a big time ball mover. He contributes with rebounding and ball handling throughout the game. Being surrounded by the Mavericks roster during the regular season will enhance his assist game. Defensively, he remains locked in and consistently spreads positive energy among his teammates. Still has lots of work ahead and he knows it. That’s why he is special. Humility.”

Dallas has already, per reports, shut Flagg down for the rest of the event after two games in an 87-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers and a 76-69 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Flagg would average 20.5 points (35.7% FG, 21.4% 3PT), 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and a block per game in those appearances. He had, in his words, “one of the worst games of (his) life” in the first game with a stat line of 10 points (5-21 FG, 0-5 3PT, 0-1 FT), six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block during the win over LA. Come the weekend, though, Flagg came back with 31 points (10-21 FG, 3-9 3PT, 8-13 FT), four rebounds, one assist, and a block in the loss to San Antonio.

With that, Flagg being compared to James, even if that’s the highest-end comparison, is one which experts could make. They have similar heights in that 6’7 to 6’9 range while James, even at his age, still has 30 pounds of weight on the rookie. However, it’s the versatility at that frame that translates most between the two with both able to do it all on both ends. They also entered the league at similar stages of life with Flagg in 2025 being the second-youngest top overall pick in history behind only James in 2003.

Examples like these are a lot to live up to for Flagg. He’ll now have his chance to do so when he next really takes a court as a pro when Dallas tips off next season.