NBA Ruki of the Year Race: Can a cooper catch a flag?

The NBA is in draft books, and the Duke Freshman Star Cooper Flag University was chosen as a total of number 1 by Dallas Maveryx.

Od-on is a favorite for winning NBA Rukie of the Year in Flag Draftkings -185 ($ 100 to win $ 185).

However, there is no such thing as a lock – especially if the flag is either injured or does not even be campaigned in its crook campaign.

There are lots of other players of this draft class who can have an impact and potentially steal prizes on plus-money obstacles.

Let’s take a look at some top contenders to see. Be sure to monitor obstacles throughout the season, as this market is continuously moving.

Dialon Harper – San Antonio Spider (+900 in Drapting)

The man raised behind the flag was another freshman standout, Dylan Harper from Rutgers. Harper scored 19.4 points per game for Scarlet Nights, including 37 points against Alabama last November.

Harper is the head of a San Antonio squad who claims the last two miscreants of the year in Victor Vambanyama and Stephen Castle. Although the spurs missed the playoffs last season, they improved with 34 wins in 2024–25 in 2023–24 and Hope Harper is a missing piece.

Ace Bailey – Utah Jazz (+950 in Draftkings)

Harper’s Rutgars team partner, guard Ace Bailey, heads a reconstruction with Utah Jazz. Bailey posted 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in his freshman campaign.

Utah had the worst record in NBA at 17-65 in the previous season, so any immediate effect is a big thing for a franchise that has now missed the playoffs for three direct years.

Question around Bailey: Can he raise this Jazz team sufficiently – and bright shines – to push the flag in the eyes of voters?

Train Johnson – Washington Wizards (+1000 in Draftkings)

Washington Vizards are in the same position as Jazz – essentially starting from scratches. Wizards selected the University of Texas Guard Try Johnson with number 6 pick. Johnson led the SEC in 19.9 points per game scoring.

Although Texas conducted an initial tournament to get out of the NCAA tournament, Johnson had a huge impact in his new season, including about 40% of his 3-point efforts.

Wizards settled the major scorer Jordan Pule for New Orleans Pelican and are now looking for their next foundation stone. Johnson can be this – and a valid threat to taking crooks in the year house.