ESPN fantasy analyst Eric Karabell stated on January 22 that managers “shouldn’t be surprised” if Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg ends the 2025-26 campaign inside the overall top 25 for fantasy basketball.
Flagg’s December surge
The 19-year-old forward averaged 23.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists in December while adding more than one steal, block and three-pointer per game. He shot 51.6% from the floor and 80.8% at the foul line—production that translates to top-20 fantasy value.
Through 44 contests, Flagg leads the 18-26 Mavericks in total points, rebounds, assists and steals and is close to pacing the roster in blocks as well. He briefly missed two games with a left ankle sprain but returned to score 18 points at Madison Square Garden on Monday. Karabell noted that Flagg’s January scoring dip contrasts his December output, yet the analyst still projects a strong finish, particularly with Anthony Davis sidelined and Kyrie Irving nursing a knee injury.
Flagg’s preseason average draft position on ESPN was 25. Karabell admitted he faded the rookie on draft day because of age and the club’s crowded frontcourt featuring Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Flagg has since taken on both front-court and facilitating duties.
Green’s scoring role in Phoenix
Karabell also predicted that Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green will average at least 20 points per game the rest of the season, while teammate Dillon Brooks is unlikely to maintain his current opportunities.
Green, acquired in the offseason Kevin Durant deal, missed the season’s first several weeks with a right hamstring strain, reaggravated the injury in his second appearance and did not return until Tuesday’s win over Philadelphia—his third game of the year. Working under a minutes restriction, he produced 15 fantasy points off the bench. He remains available in 23% of ESPN standard leagues.
Karabell expects Green to move into the starting five shortly and log at least 30 minutes nightly, reducing Brooks’ 17 field-goal attempts per game. Among 42 players averaging 20 PPG, Brooks is the only one supplying fewer than 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Karabell believes Green, the No. 2 pick in 2021, will surpass those marks.
Other fantasy notes
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors: Managers have rushed to add the forward after Jimmy Butler III sustained a season-ending knee injury. Kuminga played 21 minutes in his return Tuesday—a blowout loss to Toronto—and posted 31 fantasy points. Karabell, however, doubts Golden State’s long-term commitment and speculates the team could trade him within two weeks.
Stephen Curry and Draymond Green: With Butler out and the Warriors clinging to a play-in berth, Karabell wonders whether the franchise might rest Curry, who turns 38 in March and currently averages 44.2 fantasy points (top-20). Similar caution could apply to Draymond Green.
Moussa Cisse and Dylan Cardwell: In deep dynasty formats, Karabell has targeted Dallas rookie center Cisse (48 rebounds, 10 blocks in five games) and Sacramento rookie center Cardwell for low-cost rebounding help. Cisse’s role could shrink once Gafford’s ankle heals.
Anthony Black, Orlando Magic: The third-year guard is available in 35% of ESPN leagues but has averaged 18.7 points and 5.0 assists as a starter. In January, the 6-ft-7 playmaker is delivering 6.4 assists per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 82.1% at the line, placing him among the top 30 fantasy performers over the past month.
The weekly update underscores how quickly roles—and fantasy value—can shift as the NBA schedule moves toward its second half.
Source: ESPN
