LeBron James effusively praises Cooper Flagg: 'Going to be amazing' on the Mavericks

In 2003, LeBron James was the generational prospect entering the NBA Draft straight out of high school. Twenty-two years later, it is Cooper Flagg‘s turn to hear his name called first.

Flagg, while not to the level of James as a prospect, is still seen as a potential superstar in the NBA. The former Duke forward will be a Dallas Maverick, and James favors his chances of excelling there. The Mavericks traded All-Star guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1. But now, they are adding another franchise cornerstone next to guard Kyrie Irving and forward Anthony Davis. There are worse situations to step into as a No. 1 overall pick — James knows that all too well.

“I personally think that he wants to be great. He had a hell of a year at Duke,” James said on his Mind the Game podcast. “A guy that can do so many different things out on the floor. Can play with the ball, can play without the ball. His jump shot is going to continue to get better. Super athletic, quick second jump. And also, 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.

“Hall of Fame coach, Jason Kidd. You know, these guys can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be. And I think that’s going to 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.”

Cooper Flagg to become latest Duke player to go No. 1 overall

When James entered the league, he was the leading scorer on a Cleveland Cavaliers team that finished last in the Central Division and missed the playoffs. With Flagg added to the lineup, Dallas might be a sneaky Championship contender.

Flagg won the Wooden Award, along with being a Consensus All-American, ACC Player of the Year, and making the All-NCAA Tournament team in his lone season with the Blue Devils. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 37 games. Flagg shot just over 48% from the field and 38.5% from three.

This is just the second time the Mavericks have picked atop the draft. They selected Mark Aguirre with the No. 1 pick in the 1981 NBA Draft. Flagg, meanwhile, will become the sixth Blue Devil to go first overall.