Offense Knueppel is among the premier shooters in the 2024-25 draft class, a player whose value starts with an elite shooting stroke that translates across contexts. He hit 40.6% from three on good volume (5.3 attempts per game), and his efficiency wasn’t a product of selective spotting up, he hit 47% on spot-up threes and flashed footwork and balance to shoot on the move, off screens, or out of pick-and-rolls. His mechanics are compact, repeatable, and resilient against closeouts. Even in pregame movement drills, Knueppel showcased fluidity that suggests he could be deployed like a smaller Klay-lite shooter in pro spacing. But Knueppel isn’t just a catch-and-shoot merchant. He’s a clever and methodical offensive player with real feel. His point guard background, before a late growth spurt, shows up in his pick-and-roll decisions, pace manipulation, and ball placement. At Duke, he wasn’t a bystander; he played the second-most minutes on the team and was often entrusted with initiating offense. He can make quick, functional reads off two dribbles, especially lobs to rim runners like Khaman Maluach, or kick-outs from paint touches. He rarely wastes movement. Knueppel leverages his strength and balance to dislodge defenders, get to his spots, and carve space in the midrange, where his floaters, runners, and turnarounds give him outlets against longer defenders. He’s not dynamic off the bounce, but he’s extremely effective playing low to the ground and using angles. That said, his limitations as a finisher and creator are real. Knueppel shot 57.5% at the rim, with very few dunks and limited vertical pop. He lacks burst to beat defenders off the dribble and often has to rely on strength and positioning rather than quickness. His handle, while steady, isn’t especially creative or shifty, which narrows his ability to attack isolation or generate separation late in the shot clock. He’s also shown little pull-up three-point shooting (3-of-21 off the dribble this season), meaning most of his scoring will continue to come within structure. Knueppel’s ideal NBA role is as a second-side initiator and elite floor spacer. He doesn’t need to be the offense’s engine to be effective as he keeps the ball moving, makes the right play, and punishes off-ball defenders who cheat off him. His 2.7 assists to 1.4 turnovers also reflects his mature decision-making and understanding of his limitations. Defense Knueppel’s defensive ceiling is modest, and his athletic limitations will define what roles he can handle on that end at the NBA level. He’s not a liability by effort or awareness as he competes, rarely gambles, and generally executes scheme, but his lateral quickness and flexibility limit his ability to contain quicker guards or wings in isolation. He’ll get hunted in mismatches, especially early in his career. At Duke, he benefited significantly from a strong team defense anchored by Cooper Flagg’s versatility and Khaman Maluach’s rim presence. He was often shielded from tough assignments and tasked with simpler responsibilities: closing out, rotating, and being physical in post mismatches. He did this capably: his stock numbers (0.9 STL, 0.2 BLK per game) are low, but he doesn’t make many mistakes. Knueppel’s strength is a defensive asset, particularly when guarding up in size against post-oriented wings or larger forwards. But in the NBA, where guards hunt slow feet and wings shoot over short arms, his lack of length and twitch will be tested. He needs to improve his positioning, anticipation, and recovery technique to stay playable defensively, especially in playoff settings. Positional fit will be key. He may struggle to stay in front of 2s and lacks the size/length to be a consistent 3/4 defender. His best defensive outcomes likely involve playing alongside a mobile point-of-attack defender and a strong rim protector. Looking Ahead Kon Knueppel is the kind of player whose game makes more sense the longer you watch. There’s nothing flashy about his frame or athleticism, but his high-level shotmaking, intelligent decision-making, and maturity on the floor suggest a plug-and-play NBA rotation piece, perhaps sooner rather than later. He projects as a high-floor, low-maintenance wing who can space the floor, play off advantage creators, and punish defensive lapses. His passing chops give him additional versatility in second-side actions, and if his shooting off screens and handoffs scales up, he could become a movement shooting weapon. The concern is role elasticity. He doesn’t offer much on-ball creation upside at the NBA level and isn’t well-suited to be a primary or even secondary initiator. He’ll need to thrive without high usage, and his defensive fit may limit his matchup flexibility. But in the right context, next to athletic shot creators and strong defenders, he can be an ideal complementary piece. The NBA has increasingly made room for wings who shoot over 40% from three, think the game quickly, and don’t sabotage your defense. Knueppel checks all those boxes. If his shooting versatility proves scalable and his defense doesn’t become a liability, he’ll stick, and likely thrive.