Following check-ins on MVP and DPOY, it’s time to take a look at the Rookie of the Year race. Cooper Flagg was the overwhelming favorite for this award before opening night, but it’s far from a foregone conclusion at this stage of the season.
There have been several very impressive rookies. Fellow top picks Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey are longshots in ROY betting as of Nov. 25, but others are keeping the pressure on Flagg with the quality of their play night to night.
If the season ended today and we had to fill out a Rookie of the Year ballot, this is how we’d vote:
1. Kon Knueppel (Hornets)
Kon Knueppel is averaging 3.5 more points per game than any other rookie in 2025–26. The lowly Hornets are 2.9 points better per 100 possessions with Knueppel on the floor, which is an impressive impact for any first-year player.
A knockdown three-point shooter on high volume, Knueppel is up to 23.2 points per game over his last 11 outings with 3.5 assists and solid rebounding. The Milwaukee native has been a revelation in Charlotte, looking the most NBA-ready of all the lottery picks in last summer’s draft.
The betting markets have taken notice, putting him level with Flagg in the Rookie of the Year odds. There is still a long way to go, but Knueppel has clearly been the top-performing rookie so far this season.
2. VJ Edgecombe (76ers)
Nick Nurse might be running VJ Edgecombe into the ground, but his first few games of the season were still spectacular enough to earn second place in these rankings. Edgecombe has looked alarmingly comfortable in the NBA, forming a dynamic backcourt partnership with Tyrese Maxey.
His efficiency and overall production has decreased in recent weeks. Some of this is down to the Sixers getting healthier, and a slight drop in his minutes, plus he’s been far less effective as a shooter after going scorched Earth in the first couple of weeks.
Still, Edgecombe has plenty of credit in the bank. He’s narrowly behind Flagg in scoring and rebounding, while holding an advantage in assists per game. Philly is also +2.5 in his minutes compared with -2.6 when he’s on the bench.
3. Cooper Flagg (Mavericks)
It’s been an inconsistent rookie year from Flagg so far. His situation is far from perfect. It was a big ask to play point guard off the bat, but Dallas isn’t exactly packed with ball handlers to ease the strain on the first overall pick.
Dropping 29 points on the Pelicans was a standout showing from Flagg. He’s followed that up with 24 points on 29 shots across games against Grizzlies and Heat. It’s a notable regression in efficiency after making progress in that department over the last couple of weeks.
The skillset is apparent. This placing isn’t downplaying Flagg’s upside as a prospect, but the Mavericks’ struggles have not been aided by his presence. He has too frequently looked like an 18-year-old, whereas Knueppel and Edgecombe have been far more impactful. Dallas is 16.6 points better per 100 possessions with Flagg off the floor.
4. Cedric Coward (Grizzlies)
We’re too far into the season to say Cedric Coward is still going under-the-radar. Memphis’ wing had rough nights against the Mavs and Nuggets this week, putting a sizeable dent in his season averages after a seven-game run averaging 15 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
More impressively, Coward is helping his team win as a rookie. In a turbulent situation, the Grizz are already dependent on his production, as evidenced by his woeful numbers in losses.
Memphis are +0.3 in his minutes compared with -11.2 when he’s off the floor. Coward, who was selected 11th overall, looks like another gem identified by the Grizzlies’ front office.
5. Derik Queen (Pelicans)
The pressure on Derik Queen is greater than most 13th-overall picks due to the Pels’ bonkers trade with the Hawks. That doesn’t seem to have hampered Queen’s first few weeks in the NBA, where he’s making a sizeable impact on the struggling Pelicans.
New Orleans is 10.5 points better per 100 possessions in Queen’s minutes. His 3.3 assists per game don’t do his passing justice as he’s in the 73rd percentile in assist-to-usage ratio and registered 11 dimes against Dallas a few nights ago.
Add in 70 points in a three-game stretch, and you’ve got a big New Orleans can build around long-term. Queen has the skillset to put up some big numbers for the remainder of the season if his usage rate stays at this level.
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