Cooper Flag or Kon Knuepel? Jeff Teague chooses ROI
It seems so the battle for the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year is a two-horse race in Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets guard Knuppel could.
But for former NBA guard Jeff Teague, it is already decided.
While watching Knueppel’s highlights in the Hornets’ 131-99 victory Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls on the road, Teague said “if he (Knueppel) isn’t the rookie of the year, he’s been robbed. They (are) actually winning games, he (is) averaging 20 points.”
In that game against the Bulls, Knuepel scored 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting with three three-pointers, while hitting all four of his free-throw attempts in 23 minutes of action.
Knueppel has certainly gotten more attention among the rookies lately with his play, especially with Flagg sidelined by a foot injury that has kept him out since the NBA All-Star break.
Cooper Flagg hasn’t been too shabby in his first season in the league, as the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft has put up big numbers for the Mavericks when healthy. However, his former Duke Blue Devils teammate appears to be giving him a serious run for his money in the ROI race.
In fact, Knuepel, the fourth pick in 2025, leads all rookies entering Wednesday with 2.4 VORP (Value Over Replacement Player), while Flagg is second with 1.4.
Knuppel also leads all first-year players in points and win shares. And for what it’s worth, he’s 1-0 against Flagg this season, since the Hornets beat Dallas on Jan. 29 in a game remembered for an incredible duel between the two former Duke teammates, in which Knueppel scored 34 points and Cooper Flagg erupted for the 49th.
However, there is still plenty of basketball left to be played this season to make this compelling Rookie of the Year race even more interesting.
2026-02-25 23:42:00
