'He’s Going to Be Amazing': LeBron James Backs Cooper Flagg as Future Star with Dallas Mavericks

Flagg delivered a standout freshman campaign at Duke, helping the Blue Devils reach the Final Four while piling up accolades. The Newport, Maine, native averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc, and 84.0% from the free-throw line.

He swept the sport’s major individual honors, winning ACC Player of the Year, AP National Player of the Year, and both the Wooden and Naismith awards. Flagg became just the fourth freshman to win both national player of the year honors, joining Kevin Durant, Zion Williamson, and Anthony Davis.

Dallas Mavericks Embrace Cooper Flagg After Turbulent Season

When Dallas selects him with the No. 1 pick, Flagg will become the sixth Duke player taken first overall in an NBA Draft, joining Irving, Art Heyman, Elton Brand, Williamson, and Paolo Banchero.

The Mavericks are seeking to bounce back after a 39-43 campaign that ended in the NBA Play-In Tournament with a 120-106 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies. Less than one year removed from reaching the NBA Finals, Dallas made a franchise-altering move by trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers in February. In return, the Mavericks acquired Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick (via LAL).

Despite finishing outside the playoff field, Dallas stunned the league by winning the NBA Draft Lottery with just a 1.8% chance at the top pick. That stroke of luck locked in the opportunity to select Flagg, the consensus No. 1 player in the Class of 2024 and the centerpiece of Duke’s Final Four run.

Now, the Mavericks are set to add a generational prospect to a core that includes Davis, Irving, and Thompson — a trio that has earned 24 combined All-Star appearances and won six NBA titles.

LeBron James Sees Ideal Fit and Rare Opportunity

James, who played alongside current Mavericks stars Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis during championship runs in Cleveland and Los Angeles, believes Flagg is entering an ideal developmental situation.

“He has the benefit, unlike myself, he gets to join a team that’s established with Hall of Fame guys — Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving — right off the bat,” James said. “Hall of Fame coach, Jason Kidd. These guys can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be.”

James called it “an incredible thing” for Flagg to be surrounded by “that type of presence, that type of leadership, that type of just basketball IQ and knowledge around him every single day.” He added, “So, I think he’s going to be amazing.”

Unlike James, who was drafted into a rebuilding situation in Cleveland in 2003, Flagg will debut in the NBA surrounded by veterans, structure, and expectations to compete right away.

“He’s got a great opportunity,” James said. “It’s just about continuing to learn, continuing to grow, and I think he’s going to be a force in this league for years to come.”

The 2025 NBA Draft begins on Thursday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where Dallas will make Flagg its first No. 1 overall selection since taking Mark Aguirre out of DePaul in 1981.