Kon Knueppel entered the NBA Draft with a lot of attention on him. The theory was that the Sixers were going to select him, but they opted for another route, which some have questioned, as they needed a safe bet. While the focus was on his Duke teammate, Cooper Flagg, Knueppel quietly played the supporting cast role in Duke while putting in some impressive performances on the college level. But the NBA is a very different beast. Can the 19-year-old bring his best to a city that is yearning for success in the NBA?
Kon Knueppel is a solid player who has the potential to lead a team
Kon Knueppel is a product of one of the most respected names in the business. Duke University has produced some truly game-changing players over the years who have gone on to achieve NBA stardom. Players like Zion Williamson and Kyrie Irving have become legends in the NBA with Kyrie earning himself an almost certain Hall-of-Fame selection. Duke is like an NBA prep school and serves up some of the best college players for the teams in the NBA.
The draft class coming out of Duke this year was jam-packed with talent. Knueppel averaged an impressive 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists last season for Duke and was a constant threat from beyond the arc. Kon Knueppel plays like a young Bojan Bogdanovic, a top shooter with a range of defensive skills. Not to mention his passing ability, which is reminiscent of another Duke alum, Kyrie Irving.
The Philadelphia 76ers were aiming to draft Kon Knueppel this year
The Sixers held the number three pick in this year’s draft, and the prevailing theory was that they would select Kon Knueppel as their first pick. The nature of the draft is as uncertain as the performances of the players coming into the league. The Sixers ultimately opted for another star player in V.J. Edgecombe as their first pick, and Kon Knueppel’s future was then up in the air.
The NBA draft threw quite a few surprises our way this year. We all knew where Cooper Flagg would end up, as nobody expected the Mavs to let another team snatch him up. Players like Yang Hansen were the subject of unlikely headlines, and the draft gave us what we have come to expect: drama. Knueppel is an exceptional player and most likely was on the target list for a number of teams.
The Charlotte Hornets managed to bring Kon Knueppel to North Carolina
As the NBA was expecting a toss up between Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe as the number three pick, it was not a shock to see that the 76ers simply could not let Edgecombe go. As a result, Kon Knueppel was in a position that many young NBA players find themselves. Undrafted and unsure what the future holds. The Hornets selected him as their first pick and will be hoping he can continue his fine form in the NBA.
The offseason this year has been busier than usual in the NBA as many teams are aiming to rebuild their roster following disappointment this year. The whirlwind of trades and front office signings have been unlike anything in recent memory. Charlotte will be betting big on Knueppel forming a partnership with their star point guard, LaMelo Ball.
Kon Knueppel is currently showing his skills in the Summer League
Knueppel will be firing on all cylinders this season and is currently testing his skills against the other prospects and draft picks in the annual NBA Summer League. This offseason in the NBA has been record-breaking, in many aspects and Kon is entering a new type of NBA that is significantly different from a few seasons ago. In a twist of fate, Kon Knueppel recently faced his old Duke teammate when the Dallas Mavericks faced the Charlotte Hornets in the Summer League. Charlotte would win the game, and Kon ended with 16 points and 10 rebounds, also adding four assists, a steal, and a block.
