Best-case, Worst-case Pro Comps After Duke's Kon Knueppel Declares for 2025 NBA Draft
Duke freshman Kon Knueppel has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, and he's bound to have a number of interested suitors in the lottery.
- Previous Mock Position: No. 9
- Size: 6’6″, 217 lbs
- Age: 19
- Nationality: USA
The freshman finished his one-and-done season with averages of 14.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.2 threes.
Scouts view Knueppel as one of the safest, surer bets in this year's field based on his positional size, shooting fundamentals and accuracy, and IQ.
When envisioning pro comparisons, there are various potential versions of Knueppel that we could see at the next level. Whether he hits his best-case, worst-case or realistic comp depends on how well certain skills translate, and how much his athletic limitations hold him back.
Best Case: Desmond Bane
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Shooting will always be Kon Knueppel's moneymaker, but his upside shined most at Duke when he was put in ball-screen situations. Though not an advanced one-on-one scorer, he created a lot of opportunity as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, a job that Desmond Bane has excelled at for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Like Bane, Knueppel has the potential to provide shotmaking diversity and consistency while also being able to offer ball-screen offense with his driving, passing and pull-up game.
Bane has now averaged over five assists in consecutive seasons, and Knueppel displayed obvious feel using pacing and feel to set up teammates, most notable Khaman Maluach above the rim.
Despite neither possessing any advantageous athletic traits, both have had success using their bodies and control to attack closeouts and defenders in space.
Otherwise, Knueppel has the stroke and shooting versatility to execute around the perimeter with Bane-level accuracy.
Worst Case: Corey Kispert
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Worst case, Kon Knueppel is valued mostly for his catch-and-shoot game and transition finishing. He'd resemble Corey Kispert if the ball-screen creation and playmaking aren't used or don't translate. He'll settle into more of a shotmaking specialist role like Kispert's if his lack of explosion and burst limit him as a driver.
Though Kispert is a fine catch-and-shoot player, he grades poorly in spot-up situations because of struggles when forced to put the ball down. Knueppel could have trouble blowing by defenders or relying on strength. And both wings are also weaker pull-up shooters, with Kispert at 27.5 percent and Knueppel at 32.8 percent.
There is world where Knueppel just isn't effective enough with the ball against a set defense. And that outcome would mean he'll wind up playing strictly complementary offense, stretching floor, running off screens and looking for dribble handoffs.
Realistic Pro Comp: Cameron Johnson
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Cameron Johnson averaged career highs this year with 18.8 points and 3.4 assists. Like Johnson, Kon Knueppel also has the shotmaking skill, footwork and positional size to rank in the 80th percentile or better in spot-up, off-screen and transition situations.
But Johnson also received more than two ball screens per game, something Knueppel could be deserving off given his driving strength, passing IQ and feel.
Realistically, Knueppel isn't going to be a team's top-two option, given his lack of creativity, wiggle and burst at the point of attack. But both he and Johnson have the chance to be quality third or fourth options with their shooting versatility and improved ball-screen play.
