Max Kellerman keeps finding new ways to rave about Cooper Flagg, and this time he made the case in a way that cuts right to the heart of why the Dallas Mavericks forward is so tough to pin down.
Kellerman’s point was simple: most NBA stars come with one obvious calling card. Flagg doesn’t fit that mold. Instead, he piles on problems from every angle.
“LeBron is Magic plus, plus Michael. Then you have Steph, oh my God, he can shoot.
Max Kellerman on Cooper Flagg:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 31, 2026
“LeBron is Magic plus, plus Michael. Then you have Steph, oh my God, he can shoot. Shaq… he's the biggest, strongest guy. Wemby's freakishly tall. And Cooper doesn't have any one single thing like that. He'll just kill you a million different…
Shaq… he's the biggest, strongest guy. Wemby's freakishly tall.
And Cooper doesn't have any one single thing like that. He'll just kill you a million different ways,” Kellerman said.
He also went even further, calling Flagg the best 19-year-old player since LeBron James. In Kellerman’s view, the Mavericks forward already has an edge over James at the same age when it comes to defense and free-throw shooting.
The numbers back up why Kellerman is so high on him. Through five games in the 2026-27 season, Flagg is averaging 26.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists while shooting 55.7% from the field and 85.3% at the free-throw line. He’s also putting up 2.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
That hot start comes on the heels of a strong rookie year. In 2025-26, Flagg posted 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists over 70 games and won Rookie of the Year. He shot 46.8% from the field and 82.7% from the free-throw line.
The one area that still needs work is his three-point shot. Flagg is hitting 26.9% from deep this season, but Dallas has still opened 4-2 thanks in large part to his all-around production.
In Other News...
Kyrie And Cooper Flagg Already Raise A Big Mavericks Debate
Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg have barely had time to settle in as a duo, but the early signs around Dallas are already hard to ignore. Their games seem to mesh in a way that gives the Mavericks a different kind of balance, with Flagg bringing energy on the defensive end and in transition while Irving supplies the kind of shot creation that can make any lineup look more dangerous.
It is still early, of course, and the pair has not come close to matching the level of success Irving once had with Luka Doncic. Even so, the fit has been encouraging enough to spark a bigger question in Dallas: if this partnership keeps trending the way it has, could it be the one that helps push the Mavericks back into the playoffs? [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Closed The Book On A Beloved Veteran For One Clear Reason
Dwight Powells long run in Dallas came to an end this week, closing the book on a 12-year stretch that made him one of the franchises most familiar veterans. The Mavericks waived Powell after choosing not to make the kind of corresponding roster move that would have been needed to keep him in place, a decision that marked a clear break from the continuity he had provided for more than a decade.
Powell is not stepping away from basketball, though. After his release, he signed with Turkish club Fenerbahe to continue his professional career, giving him a new landing spot even as Dallas moves on without one of its longest-tenured players. For a team that has leaned on Powells steadiness for years, the departure leaves a notable gap in both the locker room and the rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Hit Another Low After Celtics Loss As Frustration Boils Over
Opening night of the 2026 NBA Cup had no shortage of noise around the league, and Dallas had its own reason to feel good after taking care of Houston. The Mavericks got a 116-111 win over the Rockets, with Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving combining for 68 points in a performance that fit the kind of early-season statement the team has been looking to make.
Elsewhere, the Bulls kept sliding with another loss, this time to the Celtics, as frustration around Chicago continued to build. Across the rest of the slate, the Warriors erased a big first-quarter hole to beat the Lakers behind Stephen Currys 31 points, Luka Doni poured in 37 in defeat, and Kevin Durant delivered a highlight dunk in Houstons loss, making Dallas result stand out as one of the cleaner wins on a busy night. [Read more 🡒]