Mark Cuban Uses Kobe Bryant's Career Arc to Discuss Cooper Flagg's Future in NBA

Dallas Mavericks No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg is already facing some lofty expectations, and another major comparison recently came his way.

While speaking to reporters about Flagg's ups and downs in his two Summer League games, former Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban predicted that the 18-year-old could have a similar career trajectory as one of the all-time greats.

"You kind of have to think of the Kobe [Bryant] arc," Cuban said, per Mark Medina of Sportskeeda. "It took him some time to get it right. I don’t want to curse him by comparing him to Kobe because they’re not the same. But Kobe didn’t come in right away as a polished player. It took him two years to get it."

After his legendary NBA career, it's easy to forget that Bryant averaged just 7.6 points in his rookie season for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996-97 and started just six of his 71 appearances that year. He eventually blossomed into a five-time NBA champion and one of the faces of the league.

Flagg shot 5-of-21 from the field in his Summer League debut, but he made some impressive plays on both ends of the floor to lead the Mavs to a win over the Lakers. He followed that up with a 31-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs, but the Mavs lost the game. The team reportedly will shut him down for the remainder of Summer League.

Flagg will be joining a veteran-laden Mavs team that includes star players Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, so he won't face any immediate pressure to become the face of the franchise. Cuban said he feels this will benefit the youngster as he develops on the court.

"He doesn’t have to carry a team," Cuban said. "That’s huge. That allows him to work on the parts of his game that can make him better."