Cooper Flagg rumor just revived the Mavericks' fading Rookie of the Year dream

It looked like a lock for Cooper Flagg to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award earlier this season. Since his injury, though, it looks like Kon Knueppel is taking advantage of that. The Kia Rookie Ladder has Knueppel on top, and it's easy to see why, since Flagg injured his foot a few days before the NBA Rising Stars Challenge. It could've been a nice opportunity to see Flagg go at it against his former roommate, but instead, Knueppel is on top of the board.

Flagg won't be able to compete in part two of what could've been another epic battle between him and Knueppel tonight, but Flagg's return could be sooner than expected, and even against the Boston Celtics on Friday, according to a recent rumor. This means that Flagg could get back in action soon to prove his Rookie of the Year campaign. Steve Aschburner of NBA.com knows what's at stake with Flagg and Knueppel vying for the award. He adds that the best player is always the available one.

"And while Flagg can’t be blamed for getting hurt, we hear NBA coaches over and over remind us that 'one of the best abilities is availability,'" Aschburner says. "The Mavs’ 19-year-old will be back soon, with plenty of time to vie with his friend for Kia Rookie of the Year votes. But this week belongs to Knueppel."

The Rookie of the Year race isn't over for Cooper Flagg

Flagg is more than capable of getting his spot back. All he has to do is play. Flagg still has the edge in the points per game category, but if we're being honest, it's only a point difference. Knueppel is also faring much better from deep, as he's shooting 44 percent from downtown.

Knueppel just set the record for most 3-pointers made in a season by a rookie, and he did it in just 59 games. The former Duke standout is already getting compared to Klay Thompson in terms of what he can become. In most years, Knueppel would be the Rookie of the Year, but a generational talent like Flagg is hard to overcome.

Unlike the MVP award, there's no minimum game requirement for Rookie of the Year, as some rookies have won the award playing in 50 games. Patrick Ewing and Vince Carter only played 50 games during their respective rookie season, but we anticipate Flagg doing that as well, as he's already played in 49 games this season.

Flagg has already proved himself in an epic duel over Knueppel once

Before Flagg's injury, there used to be a raging ROTY debate with the two former Duke stars, but after the Charlotte Hornets visited the Mavs back in late January, it's safe to say those talks should be dead.

Flagg finished with arguably his best game of the season with 49 points on the same night the Mavs were honoring Mark Aguirre by retiring his jersey. The two Duke Stars went on a furious duel against one another, with Knueppel going for a career-high 34 points and knocking down two free throws to win the game.

The Hornets may have gotten the upper hand, but Flagg outdueled Knueppel in a classic matchup. He erased any debate on who should get the ROTY award.

Sooner rather than later, Flagg will come back from injury and remind everyone why he should still win the award.