Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has praised Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, calling him the player with the highest upside among his draft class.
Speaking on the "Mind the Game" podcast, James highlighted Flagg's historic scoring records during his debut NBA season.
>>> Myles Garrett Trade to Rams Reshapes Buccaneers' 2026 Schedule
Flagg, who won the NBA Rookie of the Year award, averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game for a Mavericks team that missed the play-in tournament.
Historic Scoring Feats
James noted that Flagg scored 49 points against the Charlotte Hornets, making him the youngest player to score 46 or more in a game since Brandon Jennings.
He also broke James' own record for most points scored by an 18-year-old. "I think that might be a misprint," James joked.
>>> Corey Seager's Two-Run Homer Lifts Rangers Over Guardians 3-2
During December and January, Flagg averaged 22.5 points and posted a plus-minus of plus-four while on the court for a team not in playoff contention.
"You look at the plus-four while he's on the court for a two-month period, that's just good ball," James said.
Flagg's season peaked with a 51-point performance against the Orlando Magic on April 3, followed by a 45-point game against the Los Angeles Lakers two days later.
>>> Josh Hart Flagrant Foul in NBA Finals Game 2 Sparks Fan Debate
Despite the Mavericks' struggles, James emphasized that Flagg's individual production and potential remain exceptional.
