Cooper Flagg has been one of the best first-year players in the NBA. Flagg has proven that the Dallas Mavericks made the right choice when they drafted him with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. The former Duke star has appeared in 39 games, averaging 19.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Over the past four games, he’s overcome the invisible “rookie wall,” averaging 21.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 5.3 apg.
With the way he’s played like an experienced player, Flagg has been compared to several NBA stars. On Tuesday’s episode of “Road Trippin’,” former player Kendrick Perkins had an interesting comparison to the Mavericks forward. According to Perkins, he sees the 6-foot-9 rookie as the “white version” of four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer, LeBron James.
“The white version of LeBron James minus the athleticism,” Perkins said.
Perks’ co-host and former teammate of James, Richard Jefferson, didn’t agree with the bold take. He called it a “reach,” but the 2008 champion defended what he said about the rookie standout.
“The white version of LeBron James minus the athleticism.”
— Kendrick Perkins on Cooper Flagg
(via @RoadTrippinShow, h/t @NBA__Courtside)pic.twitter.com/DpUTRTJfPh
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 14, 2026
“I believe he’s leading the team in every category, there’s nothing that this man doesn’t do for this ball club.
Jefferson said that he isn’t against Flagg, but doesn’t believe that James is the right comparison for him. Instead, the former Cleveland Cavaliers forward said that Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is a better comparison to the four-time champion. But Perkins disagreed because of Doncic’s defensive lapses.
“Luka don’t play defense, Cooper Flagg does.”
Jefferson concluded that a more accurate parallel to Flagg would be Scottie Pippen. The only difference between the two is that the Mavericks forward is a better scorer.
Coach Jason Kidd sees Cooper Flagg as a leader
Throughout the 2025–26 NBA season, the Mavericks have had many highs and lows. Mostly, it has something to do with the injuries to the star players. Amid the absence of their best players, Cooper Flagg has stepped up and taken more responsibility on the floor.
Out of all the players who have suited up for at least 30 games, the rookie forward has led the team in scoring and assists. On Monday, Dallas had a 113-105 win over the Brooklyn Nets, and Flagg finished with 27 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Following the contest, coach Jason Kidd spoke highly of the leadership that Flagg has displayed.
“We all know he is special, so just understanding that we’ll never take anybody for granted,” Kidd said. “But his skill set, his maturity at the age of 19, he is leading this team. He is one of our leaders on the floor and off the floor. We have to lean into that. We have guys out; hopefully, we get guys back soon so they can help him.”
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
