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DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 16: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center on November 16, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks rookie sensationCooper Flagg continues to be one of the most discussed names in basketball.
The 19-year-old rising star was the top pick in last year’s NBA Draft.
Well before he heard his name called on draft night, many were calling Flagg the next great in line. He was an easy pick to snag the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year award.
But lo-and-behold, this year’s race to the award is different than many envisioned. Many were right in saying the pick for the award would be an easy one, but few imagined that would get said about a rookie other than Flagg.
Cooper Flagg Sees ROTY Case Stall Out as Regular Season Closes
Flagg has been far from a slouch this season. In fact, he has been perhaps better than advertised since the very first game of the season.
Why he isn’t a lock for the Rookie of the Year race you say?
One, because the Mavericks are bottom feeders. Two, because there is a dynamic rookie in the Eastern Conference who has been absorbing headlines.
Charlotte Hornets guardKon Knueppel has already taken the league by storm thanks to his volcanic 3-point shooting. The 20-year-old, who played with Flagg at Duke University last year, is already in the discussion with the top long-range deadeyes in the Association.
To top it all off, he has helped steer a historic turnaround in Charlotte, helping the franchise double double their win total from a season ago — and there are still several games to go in the regular season!
Cooper Flagg
GettyCooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel had a historic duel on Thursday
Those reasons have given Knueppel arguably the strongest case. So much so that ESPN writer Zach Kram has Knueppelcomfortably outclassing Flagg for this year’s Rookie of the Year award.
“Simply put, Knueppel has been one of the best players in the NBA this season,” Kram wrote. “He’s leading the league in total 3-point makes. He’s third among qualified perimeter players in true shooting percentage, behind only [Shai] Gilgeous-Alexander andSam Merrill. And he’s a major contributor to a surprisingly winning team. Knueppel should win the Rookie of the Year award, and for as well as Flagg has played, the decision shouldn’t be that close.”
No More Case for Flagg?
It is hard to simply dismiss Flagg. He is the real-deal and a future face of the league.
On the season, the Dallas star is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 47.3% shooting. Just last night, he recorded 26 points on 56% shooting in Denver against the Nuggets, a team many expect to be in the thick of the race to the West crown in the postseason.
The traditional numbers favor Flagg over Knueppel. And it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that teams are gameplanning each night to stop Flagg, who has no co-star. Knueppel isn’t the first option on his team and is playing alongside multiple ball handlers, making his job a lot more stress-free.
Both players have a case. The popular choice may have become Knuppel in the recent weeks, but Flagg is capable of ripping off a terrific stretch of basketball in these final weeks to win over the voters.
As the regular season winds down, there is plenty to watch for as both players go head-first into what promises to be one of the exciting races to the Rookie of the Year award between two players in quite some time.