The 2025 NBA Draft is here, and there isn’t likely to be any surprises with the No. 1 pick. Duke forward Cooper Flagg has been penciled in as an eventual No. 1 pick for years, and now it’s finally his time.
There’s every indication that the Dallas Mavericks plan to select Flagg with the top pick. The 6-foot-9 forward is only 18, so it’ll likely take a few years for him to become a star at the NBA level, but he’ll be a useful player for the Mavericks immediately.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James knows what it’s like to be a prospect who has been anointed since he was in high school. There’s a lot of pressure that comes with that, but James thinks Flagg is up to the task.
He had some high praise for the young forward on the “Mind the Game” podcast.
“I personally think that he wants to be great,” James said. “He had a hell of a year at Duke. 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.”
Flagg Will Benefit From Star Teammates
Flagg is joining one of the better situations for a No. 1 pick in recent memory. The Mavericks would’ve likely been a playoff team last season if it weren’t for injuries to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.
If those two can stay healthy, Dallas should be in the playoff mix. That’ll take a lot of pressure off Flagg. There will be a lot of nights where he only needs to be the fourth or fifth-best player on the team.
James thinks that it’ll be great for his development.
“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,” James said. “You know, these guys are like, they can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be.”
James Thinks Mavericks Are Good Fit for Flagg
The Mavericks looked like a sinking ship after the shocking Luka Doncic trade during the season. The injuries to Davis and Irving only made things more bleak.
When they got the No. 1 pick and a guaranteed shot at Flagg, it helped reinvigorated the fan base. James thinks that the pairing is going to be special.
“I think that will be an incredible thing 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,” James said. “So, I think he’s going to be amazing.”
Flagg is in a great position to become an elite player. He gets to play next to Davis, who was also once an all-time prosepct and went No. 1 in the draft. They also have simiilar skill sets, so Davis should be a good mentor for Flagg.
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