Max Kellerman believes Cooper Flagg lacks the single defining trait that makes some NBA superstars immediately recognizable, even as the Dallas Mavericks forward produces across multiple statistical categories.
“LeBron is Magic plus, plus Michael. Then you have Steph, oh my God, he can shoot. Shaq, oh my God, he’s the biggest, strongest guy. Wemby’s freakishly tall,” Kellerman said. “And Cooper doesn’t have any one single thing like that. He’ll just kill you a million different ways.”
Kellerman also called Flagg the best 19-year-old player since LeBron James, citing his defense and free-throw shooting. He said Flagg was better than James in both areas at the same age.
Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 games during his 2025-26 rookie season, earning Rookie of the Year honors. He shot 46.8% from the field and 82.7% from the free-throw line, while recording 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.
The 19-year-old has increased his production through five games in 2026-27. Flagg is averaging 26.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists in 32.2 minutes, shooting 55.7% from the field and 85.3% at the line.
His early-season defensive numbers also reflect the all-around impact Kellerman described: Flagg is averaging 2.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. He is also shooting 26.9% from three-point range, on 5.2 attempts per contest.
Dallas has started the season 4-2, with Flagg leading the team at 26.8 points per game. Kyrie Irving is second on the Mavericks with 21.4 points per contest, while P.J. Washington averages 13.8.
