Nearly a third of the way through the fantasy basketball season, it’s time to re-evaluate the 2025 NBA Draft. For the first time this season, the top of the rankings has changed, with Dallas’ Cooper Flagg taking the No. 1 spot. There’s been a lot of movement among first-year players over the past month, with new entrants and rookies providing more value to fantasy managers.
This is the updated December ladder with high scores and background information for the 9-category format.
1. Cooper Flagg – Small Forward/Power Forward, Dallas Mavericks
High Score Rank: 59 | 9 Cat Rank: 73
Flagg earned the top spot due to his all-around performance and important role in Dallas. The Mavericks have quickly integrated Flagg into the core of their offense and defense as the veteran has been either injured or underperforming. Flagg started the season primarily as a point guard, and now his role has shifted into more of a scoring threat. In the past 10 games, Flagg averaged 21.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 48% from the field.
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Just days ago, Flagg became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points (he scored 42 points), breaking LeBron James’ record. Flagg’s shooting woes are becoming a thing of the past, and when you combine that with his defensive contributions, he deserves the No. 1 spot. As his efficiency improves and his scoring hovers in the mid-20s, he may start to drift away from the court.
2. Kon Knueppel—SG/SF, Charlotte Hornets
High Score Rank: 88 | 9 Cat Rank: 67
Knuupel continues to impress as one of the best wings in this draft. At this point in the season, he’s neck-and-neck with Flagg in terms of production, and there should be more discussion about how he becomes the best rookie. I have Flagg slightly He’s ahead of him because of his defense, but Knuupel’s offensive game has been pushed to the elite level.
Knuupel’s efficiency exceeds that of the No. 1 pick.
(data ball)
Knuupel leads all rookies in points and 3-pointers made, but what really stands out is how he maintains that output despite heavy use. Charlotte asked him to be their primary scorer and playmaker while LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller were sidelined at various times, and his shooting percentage was still among the best in the class. He’s on pace to break the rookie three-point shooting record, and as of Thursday, Knuupel is the only rookie in NBA history to average 47/40/90 while playing more than 115 minutes this season (he’s played 883 minutes!). There’s a reason he was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Year for October/November.
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Knueppel continues to be one of the most reliable and productive rookie contributors in fantasy, especially in the 9-cat format.
3. VJ Edgecombe — PG/SG, Philadelphia 76ers
High Score Rank: 84 | 9 Cat Rank: 94
Averaging 15-5-4 and one steal per game, he was a worthy Rookie of the Year in a class that wasn’t that deep. Edgecombe has cooled down from his early-season outburst, but even as the Sixers star gets healthier, the Sixers rookie is still excelling in every category. He’s been showing off his ability as the primary ball-handler in Tyrese Maxey’s absence, and while I’m not convinced yet with his ball-handling abilities, he’s gotten the job done and shaken off the shooting slump that plagued him in November.
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After scoring over 20 points in a few consecutive games, I could see a selling angle at the top. However, he showed enough ability early on to be considered one of the cornerstones of their future. It’s hard to find rookies who play 30 minutes every night.
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4. Derek Quinn – Center, New Orleans Pelicans
High Score Rank: 97 | 9 Cat Rank: 136
The Queen was a new entrant from our last report, has he hit the ground running? A week ago, he had a triple-double of 30-10-10 and topped the scoring list with 70 points. And, even before that game, his minutes and impact continued to grow. The Pelicans traded meaningful draft capital for him, and month after month he improved in nearly every statistical area.
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In December, he averaged 15.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, shooting 58% from the field and 83% from the free throw line. Real playing time, real production, morphing into a must-have roster, potentially league-winning type of player across formats.
Once he develops discipline and effort on the defensive end, his 9-cat value will follow. Queen is trending in the right direction and will be in the top three sooner or later.
5. Ryan Kalkbrenner – Center, Charlotte Hornets
High Score Rank: 165 | 9 Cat Rank: 86
Kalkbrenner remains one of the most consistent prospects in the category league. His rim protection, shooting percentage and low turnover rate allow him to lock down the baseline, especially in 9-cat games. His high scoring value is limited by his low scoring volume, but Charlotte still relies on him as a defensive anchor, something many didn’t expect with their second-round pick.
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He’s not as flashy as the names above, but he has become a reliable shot-blocking big man and one of the most efficient scorers in the entire league.
6. Cedric Coward – SG/SF, Memphis Grizzlies
High Score Rank: 135 | 9 Cat Rank: 162
Coward was wildly efficient in the first 10 games of his career and became the Rookie of the Month in November. His form has declined since then, but he remains a key part of Memphis’ rotation. He’s maintained double-digit scoring while also increasing his rebounding and assist rates month-over-month, suggesting he can help fantasy managers surpass his efficiency. Cowherd is in good shape, averaging 27 minutes per game, a number that could rise depending on what the Grizzlies decide in the coming months before the trade deadline.
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7. Jeremiah Fears – Point guard, New Orleans Pelicans
High Score Rank: 121 | 9 Cat Rank: 179
The concerns and changes over the past month have stemmed from the absence of Jordan Poole. With Poole back, that hasn’t stopped the fearless rookie from maximizing his playing time. He’s a dynamic player with the ball-handling and creativity of Kyrie Irving (seriously, look).
He’s a fairly inconsistent scorer, which is reflected in his poor nine-cat ranking. However, I would still support him in high scoring and points leagues due to his high shooting and steal rates. Most people didn’t expect Fiers to lead rookies in steal totals on Thursday. The Pelicans are terrible and I can only see his role expanding as the season goes on.
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rising star
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Dylan Harper – PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs
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Ace Bailey – SF/PF, Utah Jazz
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Maxime Leno – C, Sacramento Kings
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Ryan Nembhard – Point Guard, Dallas Mavericks
Watchlist (deeply hidden)
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Trey Johnson — SG, Washington Wizards
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Walter Clayton — Point Guard, Utah Jazz
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Derek Powell — SF, Brooklyn Nets
If roles change, a trade occurs or an injury results in extra playing time, these are names that could break the ladder.
