Maverick Carter Hopes Zion Williamson Can Become 'Version of LeBron'

He said that comparisons between Zion and LeBron were "natural" given the aount of hype around their entering into the league. Williamson is largely expected to go to New Orleans in the upcoming NBA Draft, with the team building around the young star immediately. Carter said that he can see how that would lead to comparisons and he added that he hopes Zion puts a team in place to avoid getting taken for a ride by anyone.

"His game is a lot different, but there's similarities," he said. "I hope he handles it correctly and has a team around him to do it."

Carter added that holding someone up to the arguable GOAT is a lofty comparison to make. Still, he hopes for another player of LeBron's caliber for the sake of the sport.

"I think that's obviously the highest standard we've ever seen," he said. "I hope he can do it, it would be great. It would be great for the sport of basketball."

Carter knows a thing or two about meeting and surpassing expectations. Carter —a high school friend of James'— was widely considered to be a lightweight when James picked him as a manager. In an interview with The Undefeated, Mav said that he and James "took a lot of flak" for the decision. However, he thinks that they accomplished their goal of keeping as much of their own money out of the hands of powerful sports world businessmen.

“Being on the conveyor belt wasn’t what we wanted to do,” Carter said. “It seemed like everybody who had been on that conveyor belt was getting the same results, and we wanted different results.”

Keep a look out for the Rap Radar episode with Carter when it drops on Monday, June 24.