As the NBA Rookie of the Year race intensifies during the closing weeks of the regular season, a former NBA champion has voiced a strong opinion favoring Kon Knueppel over Cooper Flagg. The debate, centered around these two top rookies from the 2025–26 draft class, takes place amid Charlotte and Dallas, where each player has made impressive yet contrasting impacts.
Jeff Teague, a former NBA champion, made his viewpoint clear on his Club 520 show, highlighting Knueppel’s winning influence and remarkable shooting as decisive factors. Teague expressed,
If he’s [Knueppel] not Rookie of the Year, he got robbed. They [are] actually winning games, he [is] averaging 20 points.
While Teague recognizes that Cooper Flagg has delivered a phenomenal rookie season, he argues that Knueppel’s performance, especially given his team context, makes him the front-runner. On February 17, Teague added,
I think Cooper Flagg’s having a good rookie year, a phenomenal rookie year actually, but it comes with a lot of opportunity. The reason I think Kon Knueppel’s year is better is because he’s with some gunners, and he’s not supposed to be doing what he’s doing.
Contrasting Performances Highlight Rookie Contributions and Team Success
Cooper Flagg has been living up to his selection as the number one overall pick, averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game for the Dallas Mavericks. However, the Mavericks have struggled this season, holding a disappointing 21-36 record in the Western Conference, compounded by Flagg missing time due to a left midfoot sprain.
Conversely, Knueppel has contributed solid numbers with 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game for the Charlotte Hornets. His shooting efficiency stands out, with an impressive 48.9% field goal percentage and 43.6% from three-point range. More crucially, his efforts have coincided with Charlotte’s rise as a competitive force in the East.
Teague’s emphasis on “actually winning games” underscores a deeper measurement of rookie impact: not only individual stats but also meaningful contribution to team success and victories, a factor where Knueppel appears to hold an advantage.
Kon Knueppel’s Shooting Marks a Historic Rookie Campaign
Knueppel’s shooting achievements are rewriting rookie records. Over 58 games, he surpassed the 200-three-pointer mark faster than any rookie in NBA history and is closing in on the record of 206 threes set by Keegan Murray in 2022–23. Achieving 200 threes as a rookie historically took decades since the three-point line was introduced.
Currently tied for second in the league with 3.5 made three-pointers per game, Knueppel also leads the entire NBA in total made threes during this season. If he approaches 300 made threes, he would join an elite group of shooters including Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Edwards, Malik Beasley, and Klay Thompson—an unprecedented club for any rookie.
Despite Flagg’s strong performances, including seven 30-point games and a 49-point explosion against Charlotte in January, his campaign has been hindered by injury absences. Teague points out, “availability is an ability,” a quality voters typically reward, and Knueppel has maintained consistent court presence.
Remaining Weeks Will Shape the Rookie of the Year Outcome
With approximately seven weeks left in the regular season, the contest for Rookie of the Year remains open but intensely competitive. Knueppel’s historic shooting numbers, solid efficiency, and clear impact on the Hornets’ playoff push have given him the backing of influential advocates like Teague.
For Cooper Flagg to reclaim his status as the leading candidate, his performance in the season’s final stretch will be critical. His ability to stay healthy and lead Dallas toward better results might sway the narrative in his favor as voters evaluate the accomplishments of both rookies.
Jeff Teague says if Kon Knueppel doesn’t win the rookie of the year award he got robbed:
“They actually winning games, he averaging 20 points”
(Via @club520podcast) https://t.co/8lWmMBcFIr pic.twitter.com/epOTQ4SWNM
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 25, 2026
🎙️ Jeff Teague: "I think Cooper Flagg's having a good rookie year, a phenomenal rookie year actually, but it comes with a lot of opportunity. The reason I think Kon Knueppel's year is better is because he's with some gunners, and he's not supposed to be doing what he's doing…" pic.twitter.com/p8fEMCT1UB
— r/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) February 17, 2026
Last night, Kon Knueppel became the fastest player (in terms of games played) in @NBA history to reach 200 career three-pointers. He reached the mark in only 58 games, 11 games quicker than the previous record (Duncan Robinson).
Knueppel is now the fastest to 100 and 200 career… pic.twitter.com/sjCtTNcqMK
— Crazy Stats (@NBAcrazystats) February 25, 2026
