Cooper Flagg’s Hot Rookie Start Sparks Early LeBron James Comparisons

Few rookies in recent memory have stepped onto the NBA stage with expectations as massive as Cooper Flagg, and through the opening stretch of the 2025–26 season, the 18-year-old forward is not just meeting the hype — he’s redefining it.

Drafted first overall by the Dallas Mavericks, Flagg entered the league as one of the most decorated prospects in recent years, and despite the Mavericks’ uneven start and the absences of Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, the rookie has assumed a major leadership role far sooner than expected.

Flagg keeps Mavericks afloat amid roster challenges

Dallas recently made a major organizational shift, firing general manager Nico Harrison after the team stumbled out of the gate. Amid uncertainty, Flagg has become the franchise’s steadying force — producing high-impact performances against playoff-caliber opponents.

In a recent matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans, Flagg logged 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in 32 minutes, helping Dallas secure a tight 118–115 victory. His consistency didn’t stop there — Flagg also posted 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in a narrow loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, again showcasing poise and production well beyond his age.

As his stat lines surfaced on social media following the win, fans began making increasingly bold comparisons — including invoking the name of LeBron James.

Social media starts the conversation: “This isn’t normal”

Flagg did not initiate the comparisons — the internet did. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted how rare it is for an 18-year-old to serve as a primary offensive engine for an NBA team.

Responses ranged from admiration to genuine disbelief:

• “He’s going to be a star for the next 20 years.”
• “A rookie carrying an entire franchise — that’s not normal.”
• “This is very similar to LeBron’s rookie output.”
• “His fundamentals are unreal — this is the result of years of work.”

Others noted that while the Mavericks’ situation has thrust Flagg into a high-usage role out of necessity, he has embraced the responsibility — and thrived under it.

A LeBron-level start? Too early, but the numbers are impressive

Even without Irving and Davis, Flagg has kept Dallas competitive night after night, and his performance has vaulted him near the top of the NBA Rookie Power Rankings heading into late November. His combination of size, feel, scoring touch, and confidence has quickly turned him into must-watch television.

Whether or not the LeBron comparisons are fair this early is debatable — but the underlying message is clear:

Cooper Flagg is not just another talented rookie.

He looks like a franchise centerpiece.