NBA Rookie Of The Year Award: A Mid-Season Check-In

Remember when everyone said this draft was just "Cooper Flagg and then everyone else?” Well, Flagg has broken out of his early-season funk (thanks in large part to being moved away from the failed point guard experiment), but the 2025 Draft Class has been more than a one-man show. Although the Rookie of the Year award still seems like it is in the bag for Flagg, others are certainly doing their part to make the race more interesting than originally thought. 

1. Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)

Flagg leads rookies with 19.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists as the nineteen-year-old has been everything advertised. Yes, Dallas is struggling, and his three-point shot has been inconsistent, but he has hit 20 or more points in 18 of his 39 games played, including an impressive 42-point effort against Utah and a 33, 9, and 9 game against Denver. The comparisons to LeBron's rookie year aren't exactly far-fetched, as Flagg is starting to figure things out and live up to the tag of being a generational talent. 

2. Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets)

Flagg's former Duke teammate might actually be having the better season. Knueppel averages 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, while teasing joining the 50/40/90 club (48/42/88 shooting percentage splits).  A starter since day one, aside from the second game of the season, the Hornets' offense runs smoother with him on the floor, and he's quickly become a focal point of the team’s offense, fitting in with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. 

3. VJ Edgecombe (Philadelphia 76ers)

After an explosive 34-point debut, Edgecombe's settled into something special alongside Maxey and Embiid. He's averaging 16.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, but what's impressive is his playmaking as he leads all rookies in assists and is second on the 76ers behind Tyrese Maxey. Capable of dropping 20 points on any given night, the Dwyane Wade comparisons are starting to look more realistic. 

4. Cedric Coward (Memphis Grizzlies)

The 11th pick has been one of the draft’s biggest surprises and appears to be a key component in Memphis's retooling efforts. Coward averages 13.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, and Draymond Green called him a potential "next Kawhi Leonard." The two-way consistency has been vital for the Grizzlies as they attempt to climb back into the Western Conference playoff race. 

5. Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans)

The 13th pick is averaging 12.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, but those numbers seem to be just a hint of what Queen is capable of. As the first rookie center in NBA history to record a 30-point triple-double, dropping 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Spurs, putting Queen in rare company with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama as the only players to hit those marks before turning 21. Already nicknamed “Baby Jokic” for his all-around offensive game, Queen has the potential to be the focal point of the Pelicans going forward.