The race for the NBA Rookie of the Year award has taken a late twist, with Kon Knueppel moving ahead of Cooper Flagg in the final Kia Rookie Ladder of the 2025-26 season. The update, given by Steve Aschburner of NBA.com, comes just days before the end of the regular season.
According to Steve Aschburner of NBA.com, “There’s no reason to bury the lead… This is the final Kia Rookie Ladder… essentially one voter’s ballot reveal for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award.” His top three selections listed Knueppel first, followed by Flagg and VJ Edgecombe. The shift is notable given Flagg’s recent surge, including a 51-point performance and a 96-point combined effort over two games, but Aschburner emphasized that the overall body of work ultimately favored Knueppel.
The development reshapes the narrative of a closely contested rookie race between two former Duke teammates. It also highlights how availability, efficiency, and team impact have influenced voting perspectives heading into the postseason.
Kon Knueppel Impact Drives Final Rookie Ladder Decision
GettyCharlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel
Knueppel’s rise to the top of the ladder was built on consistency and team success. According to Steve Aschburner of NBA.com, “Knueppel lands on top due to his availability, 3-point prowess, efficiency and impact on Charlotte’s surprising success.”
The Charlotte Hornets rookie has played in nearly every game this season, missing just one, while averaging 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. His shooting has been a defining factor. Knueppel has already set a new NBA rookie record for 3-pointers, reaching 265 with games still remaining, surpassing the previous mark held by Keegan Murray.
He is converting 43% of his attempts from beyond the arc and ranks near the top among rookies in both effective field-goal percentage and true shooting. His offensive role has also been efficient, with significantly less time of possession than Flagg, yet similar production per 36 minutes.
Team success has further strengthened his case. Charlotte has more than doubled its win total from last season and posted a 43-35 record in games Knueppel has played. Since early January, the Hornets have been one of the league’s most efficient teams on both ends of the floor, leading the NBA in offensive rating during that stretch.
Cooper Flagg Historic Performances Not Enough to Close Gap
GettyDallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg
Flagg entered the season as the most anticipated rookie and delivered standout performances throughout the year. The Dallas Mavericks forward averaged 21.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while setting multiple age-related milestones.
Flagg became the first teenager to score 50+ points in an NBA game, highlighting his record-setting 51-point outing against Orlando. He also produced 96 points across two late-season games, drawing attention across the league and influencing betting markets.
Despite those achievements, missed time played a role. Flagg sat out eight consecutive games around the All-Star break due to a midfoot sprain and has missed 12 games overall. That absence allowed Knueppel to close the gap in the race.
Team performance also differed significantly. Dallas has struggled in games Flagg has played, posting a 21-45 record, while Charlotte has posted a winning record with Knueppel in the lineup. Aschburner noted that while Flagg’s individual production remained strong, the broader team impact weighed into the final ranking.
The final Rookie Ladder underscores how the race has evolved beyond highlight performances. With voting rules preventing split ballots, the outcome will ultimately depend on how voters balance individual production, availability, and team success when the official results are announced.
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