Cooper Flagg entered the 2025-26 season as the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year, putting up impressive stats for the Dallas Mavericks. However, NBA insider Marc Stein points out that Dallas' focus on losing games to secure a top 2026 draft pick could hurt Flagg's ROTY chances, despite his standout performance. His main competition comes from Kon Knueppel, whose consistency and team success make the race even tighter.
Cooper Flagg entered the 2025-26 season as the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year. After the Luka Doncic trade, the Dallas Mavericks handed Flagg a chance to immediately step into a starring role, and the 19-year-old has delivered on expectations.
Dallas Mavericks / Schedule
Through 64 games, Flagg averages 20.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, showing the kind of all-around game that makes him a frontrunner for the ROTY award.
But despite his production, one key factor could prevent Flagg from claiming the honor, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
"The Mavs have 18 games left, and the truth is, if they can go 0–18, it would be the best thing for them. That's the way the system is," Stein said on the All NBA podcast. "The way the system is structured the best thing for the Mavs is to lose and to lose royally, and that's obviously not going to be great if you're chasing Rookie of the Year."
With the 2026 draft looming, Dallas is focused on positioning itself to land a top prospect, their last time controlling a first-round pick until 2031. Winning games, even at the cost of Flagg's ROTY chances, could conflict with the team's long-term strategy.
Flagg's main competition for the award comes from Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets, who has been consistent all season while helping his team improve dramatically.
Knueppel averages 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, shooting 49.1% from the field and 44.0% from three, numbers that rival Flagg's but with the added benefit of team success.
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