Mavericks Rookie Cooper Flagg Overtakes Latest NBA Rookie Ladder

Dallas's No. 1 overall pick is starting to come out of his shell.

Dec 6, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) looks up at the crowd during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images | Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks were arguably the most disappointing team in the NBA through the first few weeks. At 9-16, their postseason hopes don't look good, as they are reportedly open to exploring an Anthony Davis trade.

However, the emergence of Cooper Flagg over the last few weeks has been a promising sight to watch. Davis's return from injury has given the Mavericks a 4-1 record over their last five games, and the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft has become a comfortable scorer on top of showcasing impressive defense.

Flagg is averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game, but in the month of December, he's putting up 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and a block per night.

With a rise in production, plus improved team performance, Flagg has risen to the top spot in NBA.com's latest rookie ladder from Steve Aschburner. Kon Knueppel, his former Duke teammate and Charlotte Hornets wing, previously held the No. 1 slot.

"One area in which Flagg continues to shine, and compete with some NBA veterans, is in the clutch," Aschburner wrote. "Due in part to Dallas’ 16 clutch games this season (games within five points with less than five minutes left), their prized rookie ranks near the top in several categories.

"His 52 points in the clutch place him fourth, and his 71.3 clutch minutes are second only to Tyrese Maxey’s 75.6 of the Philadelphia 76ers. Flagg’s 59.3% field-goal percentage is second behind the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards (66.7%) among Top 20 clutch scorers. Flagg is also second with 20 rebounds in those tight minutes, trailing the Chicago Bulls’ Josh Giddey (21)."

Knueppel has kept up his hot shooting, averaging 18 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 46-40-91 shooting splits. However, Flagg's two-way presence gives him the slight edge. To add on, Dallas is playing better basketball with the generational rookie expected to keep up this production.

The Mavericks are 11th in the Western Conference, a half-game behind the final Play-In Tournament spot. There's time to turn things around and sneak into the postseason, but the team's direction is unknown after GM Nico Harrison was fired.

Dallas could take a step back and go after youth or embrace the Flagg-Davis-Kyrie Irving tandem. Either way, Flagg is the focal point of the team at this point, and he's on track to become one of the league's biggest stars.