2025-26 NBA Rookie Discussion Thread

[hsfolk]

Pelicans have quite a pair with Fears & Queen

[zero rings]

can't find any stats but Kon looks like one of those top percentile deceleration guys. with that strength, mass, shooting and craftiness, what he's doing seems very sustainable.

Yes that’s another thing, there is nothing about Kon’s start where you think, “okay but this aspect of his game will crash down to earth at some point.”

It’s not like he’s shooting 57% from 3 or something like that. He’s shooting 88% from the line, he shot 91% at Duke last year. He’s shooting 40% from 3, just like his FT shooting, he shot 40% last year at Duke and he’s as high level of a shooting prospect in the class. Ya the 3pt shot may drop and move from say 37%-40%. But Kon being a 40% 3pt shooter really shouldn’t be all that surprising.

but there is. He's doing it against awful teams, in losses, while also on an awful team. Pretty much anyone that plays 1-3 on an NBA roster or in the G-League if handed high usage and 12-15 FGA a game could fill a stat sheet. It's just how the game is designed right now. All the advantages are given to primary and secondary ball handlers and defense no longer keeps guys off the floor.

Look at Ryan Rollins right now. Due to roster mismanagement and injuries he's putting up as good if not better numbers than Kon. He was the 44th pick in the 2nd round back in 2022. He was barely getting minutes for the first 2.5 seasons of his career. He didn't suddenly get great. He just finally got his opportunity. Some guys like Rollins, Pritchard, Jenkins, Brunson, Nembhard, etc are forced to ride the pine for whatever reason. Some guys, mostly due to justifying draft position and almost always in combination with being on bad teams or teams with injuries, get handed that usage as a rookie. Sustaining it while on a playoff team is the true measure. So I caution people to get too high on guys who are getting high usage and also getting too low on guys who aren't.

Weren't you hating on this kid in the draft board?

Just take your L and move on man. It's okay to be wrong.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Yes that’s another thing, there is nothing about Kon’s start where you think, “okay but this aspect of his game will crash down to earth at some point.”

It’s not like he’s shooting 57% from 3 or something like that. He’s shooting 88% from the line, he shot 91% at Duke last year. He’s shooting 40% from 3, just like his FT shooting, he shot 40% last year at Duke and he’s as high level of a shooting prospect in the class. Ya the 3pt shot may drop and move from say 37%-40%. But Kon being a 40% 3pt shooter really shouldn’t be all that surprising.

but there is. He's doing it against awful teams, in losses, while also on an awful team. Pretty much anyone that plays 1-3 on an NBA roster or in the G-League if handed high usage and 12-15 FGA a game could fill a stat sheet. It's just how the game is designed right now. All the advantages are given to primary and secondary ball handlers and defense no longer keeps guys off the floor.

Look at Ryan Rollins right now. Due to roster mismanagement and injuries he's putting up as good if not better numbers than Kon. He was the 44th pick in the 2nd round back in 2022. He was barely getting minutes for the first 2.5 seasons of his career. He didn't suddenly get great. He just finally got his opportunity. Some guys like Rollins, Pritchard, Jenkins, Brunson, Nembhard, etc are forced to ride the pine for whatever reason. Some guys, mostly due to justifying draft position and almost always in combination with being on bad teams or teams with injuries, get handed that usage as a rookie. Sustaining it while on a playoff team is the true measure. So I caution people to get too high on guys who are getting high usage and also getting too low on guys who aren't.

Weren't you hating on this kid in the draft board?

Just take your L and move on man. It's okay to be wrong.

Knew this was coming Wasn't "hating" and nothing I've said is "hating". Why do fanboys get so mad when you don't fawn over their favorite players? I had him just outside the lottery on my Big Board. I'm not dumb enough to be taking laps or declaring victory after a dozen games while his team is handing him heavy usage due to injuries and is currently 4-11...but hey..you do you. I'll take no Ls until he's better than I thought he'd be (#4 on a playoff team) So he'd need to be a top 3 option on a playoff team i.e. what you laughably already think he is. I'll gladly take that L when that happens so your post lands internet points. Let's revisit should that happen

[FarBeyondDriven]

Yes that’s another thing, there is nothing about Kon’s start where you think, “okay but this aspect of his game will crash down to earth at some point.”

It’s not like he’s shooting 57% from 3 or something like that. He’s shooting 88% from the line, he shot 91% at Duke last year. He’s shooting 40% from 3, just like his FT shooting, he shot 40% last year at Duke and he’s as high level of a shooting prospect in the class. Ya the 3pt shot may drop and move from say 37%-40%. But Kon being a 40% 3pt shooter really shouldn’t be all that surprising.

but there is. He's doing it against awful teams, in losses, while also on an awful team. Pretty much anyone that plays 1-3 on an NBA roster or in the G-League if handed high usage and 12-15 FGA a game could fill a stat sheet. It's just how the game is designed right now. All the advantages are given to primary and secondary ball handlers and defense no longer keeps guys off the floor.

Look at Ryan Rollins right now. Due to roster mismanagement and injuries he's putting up as good if not better numbers than Kon. He was the 44th pick in the 2nd round back in 2022. He was barely getting minutes for the first 2.5 seasons of his career. He didn't suddenly get great. He just finally got his opportunity. Some guys like Rollins, Pritchard, Jenkins, Brunson, Nembhard, etc are forced to ride the pine for whatever reason. Some guys, mostly due to justifying draft position and almost always in combination with being on bad teams or teams with injuries, get handed that usage as a rookie. Sustaining it while on a playoff team is the true measure. So I caution people to get too high on guys who are getting high usage and also getting too low on guys who aren't.

Any player in the league can put up #s if you give them an opportunity. But not everyone can put up #s efficiently, or do it within the flow of the offense.

Kon doesn't pound the air out of the ball ball nor is he making absurdly difficult unsustainable shots. He uses his combination size, strength and footwork to create high quality looks. Lights out shooter with a quick release. This kid is the real deal.

yeah, he's got elite BBIQ and plays the right way. But there's a difference between putting up efficient stats while on a terrible team due to defensive indifference while his own defensive limitations aren't a consideration, and doing so as a top 3 option on a playoff team when teams are actively trying to stop you. I'm honestly not raining on his parade, I enjoy watching him, more than most rookies. But he's being crowned after a dozen games and he shouldn't be. At least wait until he's doing it on a winning team

[Chuck Everett]

Yes that’s another thing, there is nothing about Kon’s start where you think, “okay but this aspect of his game will crash down to earth at some point.”

It’s not like he’s shooting 57% from 3 or something like that. He’s shooting 88% from the line, he shot 91% at Duke last year. He’s shooting 40% from 3, just like his FT shooting, he shot 40% last year at Duke and he’s as high level of a shooting prospect in the class. Ya the 3pt shot may drop and move from say 37%-40%. But Kon being a 40% 3pt shooter really shouldn’t be all that surprising.

but there is. He's doing it against awful teams, in losses, while also on an awful team. Pretty much anyone that plays 1-3 on an NBA roster or in the G-League if handed high usage and 12-15 FGA a game could fill a stat sheet. It's just how the game is designed right now. All the advantages are given to primary and secondary ball handlers and defense no longer keeps guys off the floor.

Look at Ryan Rollins right now. Due to roster mismanagement and injuries he's putting up as good if not better numbers than Kon. He was the 44th pick in the 2nd round back in 2022. He was barely getting minutes for the first 2.5 seasons of his career. He didn't suddenly get great. He just finally got his opportunity. Some guys like Rollins, Pritchard, Jenkins, Brunson, Nembhard, etc are forced to ride the pine for whatever reason. Some guys, mostly due to justifying draft position and almost always in combination with being on bad teams or teams with injuries, get handed that usage as a rookie. Sustaining it while on a playoff team is the true measure. So I caution people to get too high on guys who are getting high usage and also getting too low on guys who aren't.

Weren't you hating on this kid in the draft board?

Just take your L and move on man. It's okay to be wrong.

I personally didn't want Kon to end up in Charlotte. He's a really good player surrounded by boneheads. I hope he flourishes and helps change the culture. My thoughts are, we will see the best version on him on a different franchise, unless he absolutely becomes a franchise player and turns Charlotte around.

Here's hoping he becomes the Hornets franchise player eventually. It would mean he became an all-NBA player and the team is no longer a laughing stock.

[zero rings]

but there is. He's doing it against awful teams, in losses, while also on an awful team. Pretty much anyone that plays 1-3 on an NBA roster or in the G-League if handed high usage and 12-15 FGA a game could fill a stat sheet. It's just how the game is designed right now. All the advantages are given to primary and secondary ball handlers and defense no longer keeps guys off the floor.

Look at Ryan Rollins right now. Due to roster mismanagement and injuries he's putting up as good if not better numbers than Kon. He was the 44th pick in the 2nd round back in 2022. He was barely getting minutes for the first 2.5 seasons of his career. He didn't suddenly get great. He just finally got his opportunity. Some guys like Rollins, Pritchard, Jenkins, Brunson, Nembhard, etc are forced to ride the pine for whatever reason. Some guys, mostly due to justifying draft position and almost always in combination with being on bad teams or teams with injuries, get handed that usage as a rookie. Sustaining it while on a playoff team is the true measure. So I caution people to get too high on guys who are getting high usage and also getting too low on guys who aren't.

Weren't you hating on this kid in the draft board?

Just take your L and move on man. It's okay to be wrong.

Knew this was coming Wasn't "hating" and nothing I've said is "hating". Why do fanboys get so mad when you don't fawn over their favorite players? I had him just outside the lottery on my Big Board. I'm not dumb enough to be taking laps or declaring victory after a dozen games while his team is handing him heavy usage due to injuries and is currently 4-11...but hey..you do you. I'll take no Ls until he's better than I thought he'd be (#4 on a playoff team) So he'd need to be a top 3 option on a playoff team i.e. what you laughably already think he is. I'll gladly take that L when that happens so your post lands internet points. Let's revisit should that happen

This you?

this would be a fireable offense to take him in the top half of the lottery. Which G.M. is that secure in their job?

[zero rings]

but there is. He's doing it against awful teams, in losses, while also on an awful team. Pretty much anyone that plays 1-3 on an NBA roster or in the G-League if handed high usage and 12-15 FGA a game could fill a stat sheet. It's just how the game is designed right now. All the advantages are given to primary and secondary ball handlers and defense no longer keeps guys off the floor.

Look at Ryan Rollins right now. Due to roster mismanagement and injuries he's putting up as good if not better numbers than Kon. He was the 44th pick in the 2nd round back in 2022. He was barely getting minutes for the first 2.5 seasons of his career. He didn't suddenly get great. He just finally got his opportunity. Some guys like Rollins, Pritchard, Jenkins, Brunson, Nembhard, etc are forced to ride the pine for whatever reason. Some guys, mostly due to justifying draft position and almost always in combination with being on bad teams or teams with injuries, get handed that usage as a rookie. Sustaining it while on a playoff team is the true measure. So I caution people to get too high on guys who are getting high usage and also getting too low on guys who aren't.

Weren't you hating on this kid in the draft board?

Just take your L and move on man. It's okay to be wrong.

I personally didn't want Kon to end up in Charlotte. He's a really good player surrounded by boneheads. I hope he flourishes and helps change the culture. My thoughts are, we will see the best version on him on a different franchise, unless he absolutely becomes a franchise player and turns Charlotte around.

Here's hoping he becomes the Hornets franchise player eventually. It would mean he became an all-NBA player and the team is no longer a laughing stock.

Charlotte had a really good draft this year. If they hit on their next lottery pick and clean out some of the knuckleheads, they could be in a good spot.

[peZt]

Derrick Queen is a future superstar and might very well end up the best player of this draft

[Ice Man]

What a marvelous night for the rookies in the Dallas - NO game last night -

Flagg - 29/7/5
Queen - 20/7/11
Fears - 21/7/2

It's ridiculous how good these guys already are.

[Jta444]

Derik Queen and the Pelicans need to learn from Zion and get the best conditioning coach and nutritionist available.

If he improves his conditioning and body, he can be an all-star and even a max player. He will only improve from here because skills wise he is there already and will only get better as he gets more reps in.

[bonita_the_frog]

The way things are going, Cooper "ThunderLips" Flagg's scoring average is going to keep rising and its already 16.4 so my prediction of it being 18ppg by January 1st is looking stunningly good!
And i also predicted he'd finish the season with 20ppg and 4 assists per game (currently 3.3), which also looks very exciting indeed

[Duke4life831]

With Flagg starting to look more like Flagg. And with some of the other guys like Kon, Coward, and now Queen showing out.

This has the chance to be one of the funner ROTY races in awhile. As long as everyone stays relatively healthy

[Broadcaster]

This field of rookies definitely looks pretty great. Derick had 8 of his assists last night by the 10:37 mark in the second quarter. That one spin move and dish he had was pretty incredible for a rookie his size.

[Castle Black]

Another big game from Kon. Kid is ridiculously efficient for his age. He's easily Charlotte's best player imo.

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[Duke4life831]

I hope Harper gets healthy soon and gets to play at least 65 games (don’t know how much longer he’s expected out). I hope VJ makes some adjustments and gets going again.

Would love to see

Flagg
Kon
Queen
Coward
VJ
Harper

All just trying to one up each other as the season goes on. That is a very fun group of guys there.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Another big game from Kon. Kid is ridiculously efficient for his age. He's easily Charlotte's best player imo.

Read on Twitter

?s=20

they win?

[Trey24]

Another big game from Kon. Kid is ridiculously efficient for his age. He's easily Charlotte's best player imo.

Read on Twitter

?s=20

they win?

You a hater?

[Capn'O]

The Blizzard is awesome

[FarBeyondDriven]

Another big game from Kon. Kid is ridiculously efficient for his age. He's easily Charlotte's best player imo.

Read on Twitter

?s=20

they win?

You a hater?

you a fanboy?

[Trey24]

they win?

You a hater?

you a fanboy?

No you are sitting here talking about W/L in a rookie discussion thread. You are a hater than can't stand that Kon has already passed what you projected him to be as a player.