Even before the start of the 2025–26 season, Cooper was the favorite to win the Flagg Rookie of the Year award. A good opportunity awaits him with the Dallas Mavericks, as after the Luka Doncic trade, he has a chance to step up immediately and become the superstar talent the team needs to develop. And for its price, the Flag is as good as advertised, if not better.
While Flagg's averages of 20.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season are certainly good enough for him to win the prestigious award, Kon Nueppel's consistency for a much-improved Charlotte Hornets team could take the award away from the Mavericks star.
NBA insider Mark Stein, who has many ties to the Mavericks, also believes that the conflict between what is best for Dallas at the end of the year and what is best for Flagg from a personal standpoint could hinder Flagg's ROTY candidacy.
"The Mavs have 18 games left, and the truth is, if they can go 0-18 it would be the best thing for them. That's the way the system is," Steen said on the All NBA Podcast. "The way the system is structured, the best thing for the Mavs is to lose, and lose royally, and that's obviously not going to be very good if you're chasing Rookie of the Year."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0S-qNdXsZE[/embed]
Mavs face crucial year in Cooper Flagg-focused rebuild
As Steen said, 2026 is the last time the Mavericks control their first-round pick until 2031. It simply means Dallas has all the incentive in the world to try to lose as many games as possible to put itself in a better position to add a blue-chip prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft.
This will be the priority of the team. It is imperative for Flagg to acquire a potential long-term co-star if he is to bounce back from the Luka Doncic tragedy.
