Cooper Flagg's historic season and Nembhard's surprising impact electrify Dallas, delivering immediate wins and a promising future.
The Dallas Mavericks basically sold their soul to get the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. People love to conspire about the NBA being rigged as a result, but that is beside the point.
Trading away Luka meant the team was without the future of their franchise. But much to the relief of the Mavs, Cooper Flagg has been exactly as advertised.
In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz, he gives every team's rookies a grade now that the season is basically halfway done. For Dallas, he gives them perhaps the most obvious 'A+' ever.
"Cooper Flagg is having a historic rookie season and should be the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year, even in a strong class," Swartz writes. "Undrafted point guard Ryan Nembhard has also been terrific, averaging 9.9 points, 6.1 assists and shooting 44.4 percent from three in his 17 starts."
At the heart of this elite grade is the former Duke Blue Devil. Flagg has been nothing short of exceptional in Dallas, quickly establishing himself as one of the most productive and versatile first-year players in the entire league. He leads all rookies with 20.4 points per game while ranking third among his class in both rebounds and assists.
His early success has already propelled him into serious Rookie of the Year conversation — and rightly so. His ability to score at multiple levels, rebound with activity, and make plays for others has given Dallas a foundation piece to build around for the future.
But the Mavericks’ rookie class isn’t just a one-man show. Undrafted guard Ryan Nembhard has significantly exceeded expectations, giving Dallas a reliable playmaking presence. His steady hand in the backcourt and ability to stretch the floor have added valuable depth to the rotation.
Not only are these first-year contributors making meaningful impacts today, but they’re also giving ownership and fans real reasons to be excited about Dallas’ long-term outlook.
With Flagg leading the charge and Nembhard offering strong complementary play, the Mavericks’ rookie class has delivered both immediate productivity and future promise, earning a grade that reflects not just what these players have done — but what they could become.