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Rookie Class Delivers Early Fantasy Punch as Coward, Kalkbrenner and Flagg Lead Week 4

Expanded roles tied to injuries, usage bumps, coaching choices elevate first-year value.

Overview

  • Cedric Coward is pacing Memphis through 10 games and, per Stathead, is the only rookie to sustain 50/40/90 shooting splits beyond 10 games, signaling elevated fantasy upside.
  • Charlotte’s Ryan Kalkbrenner leads the NBA in field-goal percentage at 83.3% and ranks second in blocks at 2.4 per game, placing him among the most valuable front-court options.
  • Dallas forward Cooper Flagg continues to gain touches around a 21% usage rate, contributing across categories with room to climb if his 38% overall and 28% three-point shooting improve.
  • Injury absences are defining opportunity: VJ Edgecombe keeps a significant Sixers role with Joel Embiid and Paul George out, while Kon Knueppel leads rookies in scoring and made threes and is on pace to break the rookie 3-point record with LaMelo Ball sidelined.
  • New Orleans center Derik Queen logged a career-high 38 minutes and 26 points on Wednesday after the Pelicans dealt an unprotected 2026 first-round pick for him, strengthening his case as a rotation fixture.