As early as now, it looks like the Sixers’ V.J. Edgecombe is way ahead in the 2025-2026 Rookie of the Year race, with Spurs’ Dylan Harper, Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward, and Hornets’ Kon Knueppel not far behind. Before the season even began, the 2025 first overall pick, Cooper Flagg, was the clear favorite for RoY. However, it seems that there was just too much expectation and hype for the former Duke standout—and Flagg is looking like he is set to fail in his first year in the league because of his own team.
The Dallas Mavericks are en route to one of their worst years in recent memory after going 4-11 in their first 15 games to start the 2025-2026 season, while Anthony Davis suffers another season-altering injury, and Kyrie Irving is not yet set to return anytime soon. Although the nightmare of losing Luka Doncic still haunts the Mavs fans, having Cooper Flagg was some sort of a relief, but with the franchise already in shambles, it seems that Flagg may turn out to be NOT the best rookie this season.
Kidd is Doing Flagg Dirty by Putting Him as a Point Guard
Without Irving, the Mavericks don’t have an elite point guard in their current rotation. Although D’Angelo Russell has already joined the team, the 29-year-old is honestly better off as a shooter than a floor general. Eventually, coach Jason Kidd assigned someone to that spot, and by someone, we meant Cooper Flagg.
Right off the bat, Flagg as PG is such a ludicrous idea for now. It may work for him in the long run, like how Kidd pushed Giannis Antetokounmpo to improve back then. However, the Greek Freak was a raw project at the time, while Flagg was already a prospect before he even entered the league. For a 6-foot-9 forward who takes pride in his athleticism and impeccable finishing, putting Flagg as the team’s absolute facilitator in his rookie year will most definitely cost him the Rookie of the Year award. Even worse, Flagg’s shooting is not yet polished–shooting 45.5% from the field and an appalling 29.3% from three.
Compared to other top rookies in his class (i.e., Knueppel, Edgecombe, Coward, Harper), Flagg is the most NBA-ready athlete but seems to haven’t found his footing yet because of this scheme. Don’t get us wrong, Flagg is doing great in his first year in the NBA. He’s averaging 15.5 points, 3.1 assists, and 6.4 rebounds in 34 minutes, which is exceptional for a rookie.
On the flip side, Cooper Flagg is still only 18 years old, and the fans should give him some time. Some of the guys in his draft class are either 20-year-old experienced college players, which is no surprise, why they’re better now. A couple of years later, and he may just turn out to be the star he was always expected to become … or not. Thankfully, Nico Harrison is out of the picture, and there may still be some hope for the Mavericks moving forward.
