LeBron James didn’t win his first NBA championship until nearly nine years after the day he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023. James famously won that first ring with the Miami Heat after leaving his hometown team in his 2010 broadcast of his free agent decision, infamously dubbed “The Decision.”
The Cavs weren’t built to win when James joined the roster. He reminded the world that while discussing the win-now situation that Duke Blue Devils basketball star Cooper Flagg is entering after being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks.
“I personally think that he wants to be great. 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. And also, 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. You know, these guys are like, they're can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be. And 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. So, I think he's going to be amazing,” James said on the “Mind The Game” podcast.
Of course, some believe the Mavs would be better off committing to Flagg’s timeline.
Anthony Davis may be tradeable with the team committing to Daniel Gafford on a long-term extension, and Kyrie Irving will be 34 years old by the time he returns from his ACL tear.
Klay Thompson, although he’s making Mid-Level Exception money, is probably the best-fitting veteran next to Flagg. But even he may not be a perfect fit if shot distribution weighs heavily on his mind.
Regardless, Flagg is entering a better situation than James was. Head coach Jason Kidd is a season removed from an NBA Finals appearance, and the Mavs can acquire plenty of assets by selling off their win-now timeline vets.
Leave it to LeBron to remind us, though.