Jason Kidd compares Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg to LeBron James

Former Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd recently identified Cooper Flagg as an ascending talent, comparing his career path to that of LeBron James. Flagg secured the NBA Rookie of the Year award in April after recording averages of 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals across 70 games during his debut season. While acknowledging the 19-year-old's drive and work ethic, Kidd noted that sustained physical health and the pursuit of league championships will remain the primary benchmarks for Flagg’s long-term legacy. Analysts recently ranked Flagg as the top 19-year-old player in the league, highlighting his progression from an 18.8 point-per-game average early in the season to a 24.7 mark in his final 27 appearances. Entering the 2026-27 campaign, Flagg is expected to maintain this output while playing alongside Kyrie Irving.

• 2:06 PMYahoo Sports — Jason Kidd predicts just how good Cooper Flagg will be in his NBA prime
• 11:25 AMYahoo Sports — Former Dallas Mavericks Coach Compares Cooper Flagg’s Career Trajectory to LeBron James, But There’s a Caveat