Why Cooper Flagg’s Rookie of the Year Case Is Already Doomed

The 2025 NBA Draft gave us Cooper Flagg since consensus no. 1 spade headed to Dallas Mavericksbut only a week into the season, it is VJ Edgecombe rewriting the Rookie of the Year script. As Flagg battles inconsistency on a struggling Mavericks team, the No. 3 pick has Philadelphia 76ers undefeated and alone at the top of the rookie ladder.

Former Baylor star is on average 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 47.1% from the field and a whopping 42.9% from three-point range in four games.

ClutchPoints’ NBA insider Brett Siegel made the case in his overreaction piece that analyzes all 30 NBA teams in Week 1making Edgecombe the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year over Flagg. In addition to being Philadelphia’s second-best player behind Tyrese Maxey, Edgecomb has emerged as a runaway candidate for the award. At this rate, it’s hard to see anyone else walking away with the trophy.

VJ Edgecombe’s historic debut sets the tone

The gap between Edgecombe and Flagg became clear in the opener. Both rookies debuted on October 22, but their performances couldn’t have been more different. Edgecomb exploded for 34 points in Philadelphia’s 117-116 road win over the Boston Celtics, marking the third-highest scoring total in NBA debut history.

He shot 13 of 26 from the field and logged 42 minutes in the comeback win. Flagg, meanwhile, scored just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting in Dallas’ 92-125 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs, although he did grab 10 rebounds.

Edgecombe’s debut broke Allen Iverson’s franchise record for most points by a 76ers rookie in their first game. He also set the NBA record for most points in a debut quarter with 14, surpassing LeBron James’ 2003 record.

The performance was not accidental either. Edgecombe has maintained his production through four games, proving he belongs in the conversation as one of the league’s most impactful rookies regardless of draft position.

While Edgecombe’s dominance grabs the headlines, it’s only the beginning of Flagg’s problems. The real problems are much deeper than one rookie outplaying another.

Challenges against Cooper Flagg

The narrative surrounding Flagg’s slow start overlooks a key point. His struggles have less to do with his talent and more to do with the circumstances he entered. From day one, the conditions for success simply did not exist.

Being the No. 1 overall pick puts pressure on any rookie to perform right away. Flagg saw that pressure multiplied as Dallas traded Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis. Many fans see it trading as front office tanking to get a shot at Flagg in the draft. So now every time Flagg struggles, people wonder if giving up Luke was worth it.

The team doesn’t give him much room to grow either. Dallas brought in Klay Thompson to play alongside Davis with championship expectations. They are not in development mode.

What’s even worse is the role Dallas is forced to give him. With Kyrie Irving out after ACL surgery, the Mavericks hired Flagg as the point guard for a series of games. They’re asking a 6-9 forward who spent his college career playing off the ball to suddenly lead an NBA offense and orchestrate plays. That’s not what he did at Duke, and the results show it every time he’s lined up at quarterback.

The contrast with Edgecombe’s situation could not be greater. The 76ers are giving him 40 minutes of playing time to showcase his strengths without forcing him into uncomfortable situations. He plays his own natural wing position next to Tyrese McKaysimilar to what he did at Baylor. When you are allowed to play your game, production follows naturally.

The situation explains why Flagg is struggling, but the production gap between him and Edgecombe makes the race even more twisted.

Does it seem like the Rookie of the Year race is already over?

Looking at the numbers through five games, it’s hard to argue otherwise. Flagg is on average 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 41.0% from the field and 26.7% from three. Those aren’t bad numbers for a beginner, but they aren’t ROI numbers either.

His worst performance happened on October 27 against the Oklahoma City Thunder when he scored just 2 points on 1-of-9 shooting. Although he bounced back with 22 points against the Toronto Raptors, the inconsistency is alarming for a player expected to dominate from day one.

The shootings tell the real story. Edgecombe is shooting 42.9% from three-point range on high volume, making him a legitimate threat on all three levels. Flegg’s 26.7% from deep suggests he forces shots and hasn’t yet adjusted to the NBA spacing.

Raw stats aside, Edgecombe plays with a confidence and poise that Flagg hasn’t shown. He looks like a veteran in a rookie body, making the right reads and closing out games in crunch time. That maturity matters when voters fill out their ballots.

Dallas fans can point to the plight and pain all they want. But the award is about a rookie’s performance on the field that season, not potential or circumstances. Right now, Edgecombe is producing at an elite level, while Flagg is looking for consistency in an environment that isn’t set up for his success.

It’s only the beginning of the season, and nothing is set in stone yet. But if both rookies continue on their current paths, Edgecombe’s performance leans heavily toward him taking home the award. Flagg has time to turn things around, but for now, Philly’s rookie controls the narrative.