Cooper Flagg Becomes Clear Rookie Of The Year Favorite As Dallas Mavericks Surge
The NBA Rookie of the Year race has a new frontrunner. Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg has overtaken the field and is now the –140 favorite to win the 2025-26 award at Bovada Sportsbook, nudging ahead of Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel (+145) as December momentum shifts sharply in his direction. Fans can track updated markets and bet on NBA at Bovada.
Flagg’s surge comes at a moment when the Mavericks are finally generating momentum of their own. Dallas has won three straight — their most complete stretch of the season — highlighted by Wednesday’s 118-108 win over Miami. Flagg delivered 22 points in the victory, and Anthony Davis continued rounding back into form with 17 points and 17 rebounds.
Cooper Flagg’s Production Now Matches His Odds
Flagg’s numbers now match his place atop the odds board. He has averaged 17.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists through 22 games, and since Dallas shifted to a true point guard in the starting lineup, his production has climbed to 20.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists over his last 12 outings.
His scoring benchmarks have also placed him in rare company. Flagg has already produced eight 20-point games — second-most ever by an 18-year-old behind LeBron James — and recently completed his first streak of three consecutive 20-point performances.
Jason Kidd said Flagg’s growth is helped by his partnership with rookie point guard Ryan Nembhard, who has emerged unexpectedly as the stabilizer of Dallas’ offense.
“The chemistry that they have for one another… they all want the other one to be successful,” Kidd said. “Cooper cheers for his teammates — he cheers for Ryan — and you can hear that on the floor.”
Flagg credited the team’s recent cohesion.
“I think we’re just meshing together,” Flagg said. “Guys are trying to figure out their roles… and everybody’s kind of sacrificing and putting the team first.”
Kon Knueppel Still Within Reach
Knueppel remains close enough that one swing week could reorder the race again. The Hornets wing has averaged 18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, pairing volume scoring with elite efficiency. The two former Duke teammates were named Rookies of the Month — marking the first time since the conference-based format was introduced in 2001-02 that two college teammates shared the honor in the same period.
But for now, Bovada reflects Flagg as the favorite, with the market widening behind the two front-runners. New Orleans’ Derik Queen sits at +1400, Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe at +2400 and Memphis’ Cedric Coward at +3000.
A Rising Team Elevates a Rising Rookie
Dallas’ recent stretch has also amplified Flagg’s profile. With Nembhard entering the starting lineup, the Mavericks have topped 114 points in four straight games and have rediscovered the spacing and pace they lacked early in the season.
The team’s defensive metrics have also steadied: Wednesday marked the 10th time Dallas has held an opponent under 30% from three — tied for the league lead — a trend reflecting the lineup continuity they have sought for weeks.
Flagg has been central to both ends. His scoring, rebounding, and defensive activity have stabilized Dallas’ rotation, and his efficiency has increased as the Mavericks have returned to full strength.
With nearly two-thirds of the season still ahead, the award race remains open. But as of early December, the numbers, the momentum, and the market all align: Cooper Flagg has established himself as the clear favorite.
