Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg was voted the most likely to win the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year award in a poll of coaches, executives and scouts conducted by ESPN.
The 20 individuals were asked various questions about the upcoming season, including the best player in the league and the team most likely to win the title. The group also dished on the front office that had the best and worst offseasons.
The No. 1 pick was a near-unanimous choice to be recognized as the top first-year player next year, garnering 19 votes in total from the panel. His college teammate at Duke, Kon Knueppel, the fourth pick, received the only other vote to win the award in the poll.
Who will be the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year?
Cooper Flagg: 19Kon Knueppel: 1
Flagg played two games with the Mavericks in the NBA Summer League, averaging 20.5 points, five rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals on 35.7% shooting from the field. He produced 31 points and four rebounds in his final appearance on July 12.
The 18-year-old is highly regarded because of his size, athleticism and potential to impact games on both ends of the court. He is projected to start for the Mavericks and could have the potential to have a productive season, making him the front-runner to win Rookie of the Year.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said the team is going to ask a lot of Flagg to maximize his development. The organization is hopeful that Flagg can have a smooth transition to the NBA, beginning with the start of training camp on Sept. 30.