Kon Knueppel Drafted to Hornets and NBA Fans Praise LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller Trio
The Charlotte Hornets have selected Duke wing Kon Knueppel with the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft.
In his lone season at Duke, the 6'7" freshman excelled with 14.4 points per game on 47.9 percent shooting (40.6 percent from three) while adding 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
Knueppel was one of the draft's biggest risers up big boards and mocks leading into Wednesday. He notably ranked sixth overall on Bleacher Report's final big board.
"Kon Knueppel climbed draft boards late in the predraft process after his standout combine sessions and strong workouts reemphasized his shooting, feel and toughness," Jonathan Wasserman wrote.
"Every team across the lottery figures to have some level of interest in Knueppel's shotmaking, efficient scoring and easy projected NBA fit.
"Scouts view Knueppel as a safe pick with a high floor, bankable shooting and enough creation potential to become a versatile, well-rounded pro."
Multiple outlets, including The Athletic, Yahoo Sports and ESPN, had Knueppel going as high as fourth in the draft to the Charlotte Hornets.
He certainly has his fans.
Knueppel joins a Hornets team that needed a starting wing alongside a lineup that currently has answers at point guard (Ball), shooting guard (Brandon Miller) and power forward (Bridges).
They needed to figure out their solutions on the wing alongside Miller and at center, where Mark Williams started until ESPN's Shams Charania reported during draft night that he was traded to the Phoenix Suns. The talented big man was nearly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers last season before that trade was rescinded, and he was still been the subject of trade rumors before the move went down.
But in Knueppel, the Hornets have a knockdown shooter who can help spread the floor and provide a great three-point option for a team that desperately needed more help from beyond the arc. Charlotte's 33.9 percent made three-point rate was third-worst in the league last year.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons, in an interview with Knueppel before the draft, noted how the pick would "make a ton of sense."
Knueppel had something to say about it himself.
In the end, Knueppel didn't have to wait long to hear his name called, and fans and analysts reacted to the move, praising how he fits with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
Knueppel figures to start right away in Charlotte, which is looking for its first playoff appearance since 2016.
