Cooper Flagg arrives in Dallas as the top pick, projected to contribute immediately in a two-way role behind Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, with a pathway to steady fantasy production as a secondary scorer and defensive presence.

The 2025 class offers credible fantasy upside beyond Flagg: Ace Bailey in Utah provides immediate scoring punch, Kon Knueppel in Charlotte could lock in minutes, and Dylan Harper in San Antonio may see upticks with De’Aaron Fox out early. Sleeper bets like V.J. Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears and Khaman Maluach depend on opportunity, but carry meaningful late-round upside for savvy rosters.

Cooper Flagg lands No. 1 in a 2025 NBA Draft deemed top-heavy, and Dallas instantly becomes a crossroads for his ceiling. Five-year projections from NBA insiders crown Flagg as the class’ best, even with Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey in the mix. Dallas’ veteran-heavy depth offers a relatively clean path for development, even as Kyrie Irving’s health could delay early action. Rookie of the Year chatter is loud, but the fit and usage will be pivotal in shaping his fantasy value right away.

Flagg’s arrival lands him amid Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and a bevy of prime teammates, creating both opportunity and competition. The Mavericks’ roster depth suggests a patient approach, with potential for slow-burning production that could accelerate as Irving returns. The season ahead balances immediate upside with long-term dynasty appeal, making Flagg a marquee hold for fantasy portfolios and betting boards alike.

NBA Rank returns with massive turnover: 25 of the top 100 are new, the largest jump since 2019. Excluding injuries, the piece targets 2025 draft picks and rising sophomores who could crack the list next season, led by Dylan Harper, Kon Knueppel, Donovan Clingan, Zaccharie Risacher, Ausar Thompson, and Kel'el Ware. It also reconsiders veterans like Josh Giddey, Herbert Jones, and Brandin Podziemski as potential returnees, while calling out Cooper Flagg and Zach Edey as notable leap candidates.

The analysis leans into second-year trajectories, production versus draft position, and the changing roles that could push players into the top 100. With the Spurs, Hornets, Blazers, Hawks, Pistons, and Heat at the center of the discussion, the piece outlines a plausible path for several players to vault into next year's elite ranking.

Cooper Flagg headlines a deep 2025-26 rookie class, with Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, Dylan Harper, and Khaman Maluach poised for immediate fantasy impact. Flagg is projected to start for Dallas and contribute across points, rebounds, assists and defensive stats, while Jazz, Hornets, Spurs and Suns lean on rookies for early workload. Knueppel and Bailey offer reliable shooting and scoring floor, Harper carries exciting upside despite potential early limitations, and Maluach is a high-risk, high-reward rim protector with room to grow.