We’re only one day away from the 2025 NBA Draft, and the rumor mill is already buzzing. Cooper Flagg is a lock to go first overall, but there’s plenty of intrigue over where his Duke teammates will end up. That includes Kon Knueppel, the second-best player on last season’s Final Four squad. After a stellar season with the Blue Devils, where will the sharpshooter land?
DraftKings Sportsbook is offering several enticing NBA Draft props ahead of Wednesday night. Let’s take a closer look at which player prop bettors should target for Kon Knueppel.
Kon Knueppel drafted at pick #4 (-145)
Knueppel’s stock was already high entering the draft process, with most analysts projecting a spot in the lottery. However, a recent rise has put the freshman in contention to go quite early. Right now, the 19-year-old’s odds of being taken in the top five are at -1000 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
It’s easy to see why bettors are falling in love with Duke’s other household name. This season, the wing averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists. However, it’s not the counting stats that have front offices giddy about Knueppel’s potential. Phenomenal shooting splits (47.6/40.6/91.4%) make the guard an instant fit on any offense in the association. That’s not to say Kon is only good for knocking down three-pointers. The Wisconsin native is a solid ball-handler and an unselfish passer. At 6’7″ and 217 pounds, he’s also capable of taking the ball to the rim.
Granted, there are some risks with Knueppel that are worth mentioning. Despite his all-around game, the wing can struggle on the other end of the floor. That’s not to say Kon is a bad defender per se, but middling athleticism will limit his potential. In one-on-one situations against elite NBA scorers, teams will need to make sure Knueppel isn’t left on an island. On offense, there isn’t much downside. Still, a dependence on shooting could make Knueppel a bit too trigger-happy, especially in the wrong environment. A pass-first point guard would be ideal for the Duke alum’s long-term success.
We’ve gotten the pros and cons (no pun intended) out of the way. The biggest question remaining: which team will select Knueppel on Wednesday? The draft’s top three picks appear secure. Flagg will go to the Mavericks, Dylan Harper to the Spurs, and all signs are pointing to V.J. Edgecombe joining the 76ers. That leaves the first ‘wildcard’ at pick #4 with the Hornets. Last season, Charlotte averaged basketball’s second-fewest points per game (105.1); it’s clear this group could use a scorer. Per Forbes’ Evan Sidery, Knueppel was one of the only top prospects to visit for a pre-draft workout.
LaMelo Ball isn’t exactly that pass-first point mentioned earlier. Still, the guard is a solid distributor under the right circumstances. Perhaps he’d be an even more willing passer when paired with an elite sharpshooter. Last season, the Hornets took a swing on a young, defensively-minded player in Tidjuane Salaun. The success of that pick remains to be seen, but it would be foolish to take another ‘project’. Instead, Charlotte should prioritize an NBA-ready offensive contributor such as Knueppel. While the price isn’t cheap, this early selection makes too much sense.
