The baton finally gets passed this week, with Dallas’ Cooper Flagg slipping into the lead over Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel atop the Kia Rookie Ladder.

Knueppel had held the No. 1 rung from the start this season by virtue of his fast and surprising start as a Hornets sharpshooter. But Flagg’s early search for traction, owing to the Mavericks’ use of the rookie as a stop-gap point guard in Kyrie Irving’s injury absence, is over.

The valedictorian of the Class of 2025 , by virtue of his No. 1 selection, is easing some of the Luka Dončić angst with his all-around play. He’s not just matching and setting NBA marks for 18-year-olds – he turns 19 on Dec. 21 – he’s carrying the Mavericks on many nights as his usage increases along with his impact.

For the record, though, Flagg on Saturday vs.

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