Mavs' Cooper Flagg Emerging as NBA Rookie of the Year Favorite

Dallas Mavericks rookie wing Cooper Flagg wasted no time making his mark at the NBA Summer League—putting his versatile skillset on full display and proving exactly why he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

After his lone collegiate season at Duke, Flagg was touted as a generational, can’t-miss prospect. He took home National Player of the Year honors while averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks during his freshman season.

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo recently polled 20 anonymous executives and scouts for their picks to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award this upcoming season. Flagg received 17 out of 20 votes, with San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper earning two votes and Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson receiving one.

“The early Rookie of the Year front-runner isn't exactly a surprise: Flagg was the No. 1 pick for good reason and is considered not only the top prospect but perhaps the most NBA-ready player in the class. He joins a Mavericks team expected to lean on him, with Kyrie Irving recovering from tearing an ACL in March. Flagg's playmaking skills, positional size and defensive impact project to be immediately useful,” Woo wrote.

Flagg is entering a situation in Dallas where he will not be required to shoulder the entire offensive load due to the presence of 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis—allowing him the freedom to properly develop and work on different areas of his game.

Flagg appears poised to make an immediate impact in Dallas and potentially live up to the superstar billing that’s followed him since Duke.