Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is expected to make waves during his first year as the heavy favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

NBA analyst Kevin Pelton groups 11 players most likely to threaten the Mavericks' No. 1 pick for the auspicious award.

The Newport, Maine, native grew up a Boston Celtics fan. With the NBA releasing its schedule for the 2025-26 campaign, it was revealed that Flagg and the Mavericks will face the Celtics twice in the final two-plus months of the regular season.