LeBron James believes the Dallas Mavericks‘ Cooper Flagg could develop along the same trajectory as six-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard as he discussed the teenage rookie’s potential.
The comments came on Tuesday’s episode of the Mind The Game podcast with Steve Nash on October 21, and the four-time NBA champion was keen to praise the talented youngster.
“He can almost take the Kawhi Leonard route,” James said. “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’s belief in Flagg
James has frequently hyped Flagg, highlighting his versatility on and off the ball and even compared Flagg‘s situation to his own rookie season, noting that the 2025 No. 1 pick will join a team stacked with Hall of Fame talent.
Flagg was selected first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Mavericks after the team won the draft lottery and arrives from the Duke Blue Devils, where he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game.
The 19-year-old guard/forward is set to make his professional debut when the Mavericks open the season against the San Antonio Spurs at home on Tuesday, with expectations for him high given his college success and draft status.
The Mavericks are reportedly exploring multiple roles for Flagg, including ball-handler, point wing, or inside-out scorer. The coaching staff will weigh how quickly to rely on him as a primary contributor versus a gradual integration into the rotation.
Transitioning from college to the NBA will test Flagg‘s resilience, particularly in areas like shot consistency and decision-making under pressure. LeBron emphasized that having veteran stars around will help accelerate his learning curve.
“The good thing is that he has great veteran players to lean on,” James said. “With support from Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson he has every tool at his disposal to succeed.”
Who do the Mavericks play in Week 1? Date, time and where to watch
The Mavericks will face the San Antonio Spurs in their 2025-26 season opener on October 23, hosting the game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The contest is scheduled to tip off at 20:30 ET / 17:30 PT.
Broadcast coverage will be provided nationally by ESPN, giving fans across the country an opportunity to catch the action live, while regional fans can also watch on Bally Sports Southwest.
The game represents the Mavericks‘ first test with Flagg, and observers, including LeBron James, will be keen to see how quickly the 19-year-old adapts to NBA competition and how his integration into the lineup plays out.
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