The NBA Rookie of the Year race appears to be down to Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg. It is a debate between a player contributing to wins and a player with the stronger overall statistical profile in Flagg.
Further down the ballot, VJ Edgecombe has likely secured third place and could push into the top two if Flagg misses more time. Derik Queen, Maxime Reynaud, Dylan Harper, Cedric Coward, Ace Bailey, and Jeremiah Fears are competing for the remaining spots in the rankings.
1. Kon Knueppel
Knueppel has played more than 200 additional minutes compared to Flagg and has largely avoided the rookie wall. His efficiency has held, and the Hornets have continued to perform well with him on the floor.
He is taking eight threes per game and hitting 43.8%, a rate that is approaching elite territory. He is also averaging 19.3 points per game and has shown more as a playmaker than expected, not just in a secondary role, but as a primary pick-and-roll initiator.
It is also notable that the Hornets are +4.1 in his minutes. These are not empty rookie numbers. This is a player actively contributing to winning without needing high usage to do it.
2. Cooper Flagg
There is no LaMelo Ball in Dallas to limit Flagg’s usage, and his role, both now and in the future, is very different from Knueppel’s. The ceiling may be higher, but his current value in 2025–26 has not matched Charlotte’s standout.
Flagg has also not been operating under the same pressure. Dallas is not chasing wins, which has allowed him to play freely and adjust to the NBA without the burden of results.
Averaging 20.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.0 stocks is an excellent rookie line. Dallas should be encouraged by what it has seen. But that production, in this context, does not put him ahead of Knueppel in the Rookie of the Year race.
3. VJ Edgecombe
Third among rookies in both total points and assists, VJ Edgecombe also ranks fifth in rebounds and second only to Knueppel in minutes. He has been highly adaptable, playing alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George in various combinations, and more recently without any of them.
His outside shot has been better than expected, and defensively, his athleticism has translated immediately. He leads all rookies in steals per game and has shown the ability to navigate screens and defend on the perimeter, helping stabilize undersized lineups.
There were stretches earlier in the season where Edgecombe looked capable of pushing into the top tier of this race. He has not quite maintained that level, but it is clear the Sixers have a foundational piece in their backcourt.
4. Dylan Harper
It is easy to focus on the lack of a three-point shot. Harper, however, has found ways to be impactful regardless, as reflected in his 7.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists per 100 possessions.
He has been a more efficient scorer than Flagg, albeit in a smaller offensive role. His quick decision-making has been key for a San Antonio team pushing toward a top seed in the Western Conference, and he has rarely looked like a rookie.
His impact shows up in the margins, rebounding, cutting, and consistent defensive effort. That versatility is an encouraging sign for San Antonio as it builds toward a long-term backcourt pairing of Harper and Stephon Castle.
5. Jeremiah Fears
It has been an up-and-down rookie season for Fears. He ranks fourth among rookies in total points but has also had 21 games with fewer than 10, with his minutes fluctuating throughout the year.
The return of Dejounte Murray gives him another veteran presence to learn from, and there have been encouraging signs recently. He is shooting 48.5% from three in March and has shown flashes of scoring upside, including a 28-point performance earlier this month.
Turnovers remain a concern, but Fears’ ability to stay productive in a less-than-ideal situation in New Orleans is a positive indicator moving forward.
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