Kon Knueppel’s media availability at NBA draft combine.
Kon Knueppel II had his media availability at the NBA combine in Chicago.
Could Milwaukee-area native Kon Knueppel, an alumnus of Wisconsin Lutheran High School and a standout at Duke University last season, become a top-five pick in the upcoming NBA Draft?
What about even higher?
The draft is June 25-26. Here’s the latest on where Knueppel projects, plus some notes on Marquette’s Kam Jones, Wisconsin’s John Tonje and the Milwaukee Bucks, who have pick No. 47 in the second round.
ESPN: Knueppel might even make sense for San Antonio at No. 2
It’s not that Knueppel is likely to get taken No. 2 overall, behind only his Duke teammate Cooper Flagg, but Jonathan Givony of ESPN.com notes that Knueppel does fill San Antonio’s biggest need.
“Surrounding Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox with high-feel, dynamic perimeter shooters is a major priority for the front office this offseason, and no player in this draft fits that bit better than Knueppel,” he wrote. “He’s the draft’s best shooter, capable of shooting off movement coming off screens, but also is a solid defender and playmaker who plays a selfless, highly competitive style.”
It’s still far more likely that Rutgers standouts Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey will get taken higher than Knueppel. But don’t be surprised to see Knueppel shortly thereafter. Jonathan Woo calls Knueppel the “best value” for Charlotte at No. 4.
“Knueppel has a real chance of hearing his name called among the top five on draft night, with teams considering his immediate on-court utility and the long-term room to flesh out his offensive game. Knueppel’s excellent perimeter shooting and measured style as a playmaker would be a strong addition for the Hornets, with his presence likely helpful to take pressure off of (LaMelo) Ball and Brandon Miller.”
CBS projects Knueppel at No. 7 to Pelicans
Gary Parrish thinks it’ll be New Orleans that calls Knueppel’s name at No. 7.
“Knueppel was mostly excellent through Duke’s run to the Final Four, averaging 19.0 points while shooting 63.6% from beyond the arc,” Parrish wrote. “He’s an elite shooter, obviously, but far from only a shooter — and anybody labeling him as little more than a catch-and-shoot threat is wildly underestimating Knueppel’s versatility as a player who projects as a nice building block for a New Orleans franchise forever in search of floor-spacers to put alongside Zion Williamson.”
Parrish’s teammates, Kyle Boone and Adam Finkelstein, both slot Knueppel likewise to the Pelicans.
“New Orleans snags the Robin to Cooper Flagg’s Batman in Knueppel, who is the most skilled shooter in the draft after hitting 40.6% on 3-pointers last season at Duke and rating out in the 90th percentile or better on both jump shots and catch-and-shoot attempts,” Boone said. “He was very good playing next to a star in Flagg and there’s more room for him to expand his game in a bigger role.”
The Ringer also thinks Pelicans for Kon Knueppel
J. Kyle Mann of The Ringer is also going with the Pelicans at No. 7 for Knueppel.
“In New Orleans, Knueppel could emulate the things that helped CJ McCollum make a name for himself in the NBA — part-time handling, spacing, active off-ball moving — with the added bonus that he’s bigger,” Mann said. “There might be a temptation here to address the Pelicans’ glaring needs on defense, but no rookie is going to immediately tow NOLA out of that mud. The Pels need talent that can give them lineup flexibility, and Knueppel will give them that on the offensive end. The certainty of his shooting, his growing ability to pass the ball, and the possibility that he could be even more than just a spacer down the road make this a nice fit.”
Yahoo! also thinks Pelicans for Knueppel
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports echoes a familiar refrain: Knueppel to the Pelicans at No. 7.
“There are no untouchables in New Orleans,” he wrote. “League sources say the Pelicans are gauging the market for everyone on their roster. They very well could end up keeping their core pieces, but it appears the Pelicans are looking into taking different paths this summer depending on what opportunities become available. For now, let’s give them Knueppel in this mock draft because he could fit on any roster with his skill-set. Knueppel brings more than just a sharpshooter’s stroke thanks to his brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and crafty scoring feel. He’s got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player that takes over games he’ll need to overcome his average athleticism.”
O’Connor has Kam Jones going to the Sacramento Kings with the 42nd pick, Tonje going to the Chicago Bulls three picks later at 45 and Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard going to the Bucks at No. 47.
Bleacher Report thinks Knueppel falls all the way to No. 10
Jonathan Wassmerman has a different destination in mind for Knueppel: Houston, a team that picks at No. 10.
“The Houston Rockets will likely make this pick available with the team in win-now mode and a roster that already has a number of young prospects struggling to find minutes,” Wasserman said. “Regardless, every team figures to have some level of interest in Kon Knueppel’s shotmaking, efficient scoring and easy fit. Viewed as a safe pick with a valued, bankable skill in shooting, he also flashed enough driving ability and ball-screen playmaking for teams to see a more versatile, well-rounded offensive player.”
The Bucks select Rocco Zikarsky, an international center from Australia, at pick No. 47. Tonje gets taken by Cleveland two picks later, with Jones getting taken much earlier, at No. 38 to the Spurs.
Sports Illustrated picks Brooklyn at No. 8 for Knueppel
The Draft Digest staff at SI.com has Knueppel going No. 8 to the Nets and also has Tonje going No. 42 to Sacramento, Kam Jones going 46 to Orlando and the Bucks selecting one pick later at No. 47, getting first-team All-American Johni Broome of Auburn.
