Five NBA Rookie of the Year candidates to compete with Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg stands as the clear frontrunner for the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year, with odds heavily favoring him. According to Fan Duel, Flagg’s odds are at -195, while only one other player has odds below +1000. It’s safe to say that if someone other than Flagg takes home the award, it would be quite the shock.

Interestingly, the No. 1 overall draft pick doesn’t always secure the Rookie of the Year title. In fact, over the last seven years, only two players chosen first overall—Victor Wembanyama and Paolo Banchero—have won the award. Flagg, being the youngest player in the NBA this season after just three years in high school, may still face challenges from contenders looking to earn the title without relying on injuries as a factor.

While Flagg is likely to clinch the Rookie of the Year title come season’s end, it’s worth exploring potential challengers for the award. Here’s a list of five rookies who could possibly take the prize away from Flagg this season. Be sure to check out the pre-season MVP rankings too!

I have a bit of an underdog pick here. Currently, Hansen is lined up to be a backup for Donovan Klingan, especially since Robert Williams is still recovering from long-term injuries. Klingan is expected to be a breakout candidate, but he hasn’t consistently logged 30 minutes in a single game at UConn. If he struggles, Hansen should have a chance to make an impact. The Blazers surprised many by drafting this young Chinese center at No. 16, and his performance in the Las Vegas Summer League showed promise. He’s a versatile scorer, capable of driving, passing, and even shooting threes. His defensive skills might raise eyebrows, yet playing alongside skilled defenders should mitigate those concerns early on. It’s a bit like bringing in a foreign secret weapon—mysterious but potentially dangerous. Though he was graded poorly at draft time, he seems to be a growing asset for Portland as the season unfolds.

The last time I saw Clayton was when he led Florida to the national championship. Now, at 22 years old, he’s kicking off his NBA journey, stepping into a role where playing time has opened up since the Jazz moved on from veteran Colin Sexton. Clayton has a knack for pull-up shots and can launch threes from a distance. While his defensive and playmaking skills might not stack up, they shouldn’t hinder the Jazz, who are seeking a top draft pick for 2026. He competes with Isaiah Collier and Keonte George for minutes, but his shooting ability and college experience give him an edge as he transitions to the NBA.

Johnson is emerging as a solid contender in Fan Duel’s rookie rankings. The Wizards are in dire need of scoring, and Johnson is a sharpshooter with excellent range. He could potentially be the most effective scorer in this rookie class. He has impressed his teammates during training camp, and my only worry is whether the Wizards will struggle this season. If they only win around 20 games, it could limit his visibility in the race against Flagg. Johnson’s scoring numbers could be impressive, yet his impact on the team’s success remains to be seen, putting him third on my list.

Harper’s role is a bit uncertain since Daron Fox and Steffon Castle are already established in the backcourt. It seems likely that he’ll start the season as a backup. Nevertheless, his ability to drive and finish at the rim is so remarkable that the Spurs would struggle to keep him off the floor. He can navigate through defenses and is skilled enough to find Wembanyama when defenders collapse on him. If the Spurs make the playoffs, Harper will have the platform he needs to truly compete for the award. A key factor for him will be improving his three-point shooting; aiming for 35% would really help his chances. The buzz around Wembanyama may overshadow him, but Harper’s talent can’t be ignored.

Knueppel has played a supporting role to Flagg at Duke but could be Flagg’s toughest competition this season. Despite the Hornets’ reputation for being a bit of a mess, Knueppel complements LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller well, assuming they can stay healthy. As the fourth overall pick, he doesn’t require the ball to be effective—his shooting alone can stretch defenses and create opportunities. Ideally, Knueppel starts strong, hits around 40% of his threes, and dishes out assists. The Eastern Conference is fairly open this season, evidenced by teams like the Pistons making significant improvements. Even if the Hornets don’t make major strides, Knueppel’s consistent scoring could keep him in Rookie of the Year conversations.