2025-26 NBA Rookie Discussion Thread

[Bob8]

The Mavs could’ve just let Flagg play his natural game and he’d probably look much better right now. But they’ve chosen to play the long game, letting him learn to run the offense. If he masters that, he has top 5 player potential.

Flagg is not running anything. His only Pg duty is bringing the ball up the court, pass it as soon as possible to whoever is open and go standing in the corner. He has 4th lowest usage among starters. He had 2 games without a single assist. He's Pg only on paper, because Kidd wants to play big starting lineup without a Pg. Flagg's on/off is atrocious, -21.5, because Dlo at least is a guard and Mavs play a lot better with him.

[Mone 24]

I can expect a sort of " rookie wall " for VJ, but now he's averaging 22 ppg with 5 rpg and 5 apg.
And with that level of defense, his impact is simply outstanding.

[Dacost]

I been having a alot of fun watching all the rookies so far.

Some rookies have better situations then others when it comes to playing time and touches.

I'm interested to see what happends with Harper once fox comes back.

Cedric Coward and Jeremiah Fears need to start over KCP and Jordan Poole or atleast get alot more touches.

[Chuck Everett]

I been having a alot of fun watching all the rookies so far.

Some rookies have better situations then others when it comes to playing time and touches.

I'm interested to see what happends with Harper once fox comes back.

Cedric Coward and Jeremiah Fears need to start over KCP and Jordan Poole or atleast get alot more touches.

Fears is absolutely NOT ready to start and lead a team just yet. He's still getting over twenty minutes a night on the Pels, but he just had a 1-11 game against Boston. Let him get acclimated/confident by doing work against the backups.

[sikma42]

Before the season I quite a few people saying Flagg was the best non-Wemby prospect since LeBron. That just seems silly
But he should turn out to be an all star.


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Every year there is a "best prospect since LeBron" and every year they are wrong.
Well except with Wemby

2019 when Zion got drafted, people were saying that. But 2020-2022, definitely nobody is saying any of those prospects are Lebron. Then you got Wemby and then Risacher, which nobody thinks is that special. Flagg is the next hyped prospect. But I am more hype about this upcoming draft than Flagg personally.

Not really hyped about Dybantsa, Boozer or the other guy. After Wemby, they just seem like afterthoughts. I'm sure they will all be good players, maybe a couple will be all starts but idk if they really move the needle (hope im wrong).

[LordCovington33]

Cooper was drafted to a terrible situation.

AD is a ball stopping 3rd option.

Trade everyone like they did in Luka's rookie season.

Fire Kidd.

Yep, let’s blame Kidd for Flagg shooting 1-9.

[ConSarnit]

The Mavs could’ve just let Flagg play his natural game and he’d probably look much better right now. But they’ve chosen to play the long game, letting him learn to run the offense. If he masters that, he has top 5 player potential.

Flagg is not running anything. His only Pg duty is bringing the ball up the court, pass it as soon as possible to whoever is open and go standing in the corner. He has 4th lowest usage among starters. He had 2 games without a single assist. He's Pg only on paper, because Kidd wants to play big starting lineup without a Pg. Flagg's on/off is atrocious, -21.5, because Dlo at least is a guard and Mavs play a lot better with him.

Flagg is running the 2nd most PNR on Dallas. It's not effective but he's getting reps as a creator.

[Slacktard]

Wow. Ace Bailey putting up some Bronny rookie type numbers

2.7 PTS, 1.3 APG, 28.6 3P%, 15.8 FG%

[Tyrone Messby]

That’s what Utah gets for blocking him from going to the Wizards glad we ended up with Tre

[Bob8]

The Mavs could’ve just let Flagg play his natural game and he’d probably look much better right now. But they’ve chosen to play the long game, letting him learn to run the offense. If he masters that, he has top 5 player potential.

Flagg is not running anything. His only Pg duty is bringing the ball up the court, pass it as soon as possible to whoever is open and go standing in the corner. He has 4th lowest usage among starters. He had 2 games without a single assist. He's Pg only on paper, because Kidd wants to play big starting lineup without a Pg. Flagg's on/off is atrocious, -21.5, because Dlo at least is a guard and Mavs play a lot better with him.

Flagg is running the 2nd most PNR on Dallas. It's not effective but he's getting reps as a creator.

Because nobody is running anything in Mavs.

Only 3 poss per game with 0.23 PPP, 1.4 Percentile. That's not Pg numbers. Pg who in 31 minutes doesn't make a single assist and has 0 turnovers is probably Pg only on paper.

Flagg is just a kidd and 4 games means nothing, but he's having very rough time at the moment. Not because he's playing as Pg, but because lineups Kidd is playing with him are just awful. Mavs offensive rtg when Flagg is on 95.4, when he's off 113.4. And even D is 4.7 points better when he's off.

[Sixteen]

That’s what Utah gets for blocking him from going to the Wizards glad we ended up with Tre

Ace is still really raw and still could end up the best player in the draft down the line. it's way too early to be doing any victory laps. Besides, how did the Jazz block him from going to DC when they did what's best for the jazz?

[Mephariel]

Every year there is a "best prospect since LeBron" and every year they are wrong.
Well except with Wemby

2019 when Zion got drafted, people were saying that. But 2020-2022, definitely nobody is saying any of those prospects are Lebron. Then you got Wemby and then Risacher, which nobody thinks is that special. Flagg is the next hyped prospect. But I am more hype about this upcoming draft than Flagg personally.

Not really hyped about Dybantsa, Boozer or the other guy. After Wemby, they just seem like afterthoughts. I'm sure they will all be good players, maybe a couple will be all starts but idk if they really move the needle (hope im wrong).

I mean it is too early to say. But I disagree with a "couple will start." All three of them frankly could be stars from what I seen. This upcoming draft is going to be insane. Celab Williams and Mikal Brown Jr. are looking good too. Again, too early to say, but I fully support he Kings tanking for Dybantsa, Peterson, or Boozer.

[Bornstellar]

Wow. Ace Bailey putting up some Bronny rookie type numbers

2.7 PTS, 1.3 APG, 28.6 3P%, 15.8 FG%

My ROY prediction isn't looking great so far

[JustBuzzin]

Will be interesting to see how VJ Edgecombe role changes when PG comes back. That's another player looking for shots + Maxey/Embiid.

It's early, but VJ definitely looks like the best player in this class so far.

[sikma42]

2019 when Zion got drafted, people were saying that. But 2020-2022, definitely nobody is saying any of those prospects are Lebron. Then you got Wemby and then Risacher, which nobody thinks is that special. Flagg is the next hyped prospect. But I am more hype about this upcoming draft than Flagg personally.

Not really hyped about Dybantsa, Boozer or the other guy. After Wemby, they just seem like afterthoughts. I'm sure they will all be good players, maybe a couple will be all starts but idk if they really move the needle (hope im wrong).

I mean it is too early to say. But I disagree with a "couple will start." All three of them frankly could be stars from what I seen. This upcoming draft is going to be insane. Celab Williams and Mikal Brown Jr. are looking good too. Again, too early to say, but I fully support he Kings tanking for Dybantsa, Peterson, or Boozer.

Apologies. That was a typo, should have said all stars.

I don’t see superstars but haven’t watched much of Peterson.

[Slacktard]

Will be interesting to see how VJ Edgecombe role changes when PG comes back. That's another player looking for shots + Maxey/Embiid.

It's early, but VJ definitely looks like the best player in this class so far.

Also have Jared McCain maybe a week or two away from returning. After coming off the bench the first 7 games of last year and getting under 20 minutes. He then exploded for a 16 game stretch scoring 19+ PPG, shooting nearly 40% from three while putting himself near the front for ROY before tearing his meniscus and missing the rest of the season.

[lambchop]

Saraf and Demin also looking below average so far. Playing with Cam Thomas and Porter isn't helping, but these rookies look like Mudiay out there. I'm eager to see how they do over the next months.

[Handlez]

Coop needs the keys now.

Much better without AD.

Trade AD.

[sikma42]

Coop needs the keys now.

Much better without AD.

Trade AD.

What would having the keys look like?

He gets tons of time in pick and roll or handling the ball? AD is pretty easy to play with. Maybe he just needs to adjust.


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[NO-KG-AI]

Jeremiah Fears the only thing to be happy about in NO so far.