LeBron James believes Cooper Flagg wants to become an NBA great, as the Duke star appears set to be drafted by the Dallas Mavericks.

Dallas will have the first overall pick when the NBA draft begins on Wednesday, and are widely expected to select Flagg.

The 18-year-old led Duke to the Final Four last season, leading the team in points, rebounds and assists.

Flagg averaged 19.2 points per game across 37 appearances, and is set to become the second-youngest number one pick of all time, after James, who was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. 

And James sees a huge future for Flagg.

"I personally think that he wants to be great," James said on the Mind The Game podcast.

"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."

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And James feels joining the Mavericks, who are in need of a replacement for Luka Doncic following his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers last season, is the ideal move for Flagg.

"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," he added.

"Hall of Fame coach, Jason Kidd. You know, these guys are like, they can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be.

"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.

"I think he's going to be amazing."