2025-26 NBA Rookie Discussion Thread

[EmpireFalls]

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Knueppel has impressed the heck out of me. 15 ppg 56% from the field 58% from 3. Tied for most 3s in first 3 games in NBA history (11). It just seems like he has played in the NBA for years when you watch him.

Also Sion James and Kalkbrenner both being legit rotation players through 3 games is very promising for the Hornets. Sion James is already the team's best perimeter defender and looks to be the perfect "Dort-esque" player for the Hornets.

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Knueppel is good but the issue is he’s basically already at his ceiling. There’s no real higher plateau to reach. That’s why picking him 4 was questioned.

[Jstock12]

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Knueppel has impressed the heck out of me. 15 ppg 56% from the field 58% from 3. Tied for most 3s in first 3 games in NBA history (11). It just seems like he has played in the NBA for years when you watch him.

Also Sion James and Kalkbrenner both being legit rotation players through 3 games is very promising for the Hornets. Sion James is already the team's best perimeter defender and looks to be the perfect "Dort-esque" player for the Hornets.

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Knueppel is good but the issue is he’s basically already at his ceiling. There’s no real higher plateau to reach. That’s why picking him 4 was questioned.

I get what you're saying, but the same thing was being said about Luka pre-draft. And while he was great, he leveled up quite a bit since coming to the NBA. Obviously not saying Knueppel is anywhere near Luka, just that he can keep improving.

[mg]

Konnnnnn!!!!!!

He is such a breath of fresh air to a team like the Hornets who desperately needed a young mature, 2 way player to put next to Lamelo. He's going to make some all star teams in the really near future. He's also the type who will excel playing on Team USA. Is he a #1? Maybe not but he's going to be a high caliber #2 on some really good playoff teams. He's the type you could plug in immediately as the Robin next to any superstar in the league.

Does he have a higher ceiling to be your #1 franchise guy? We will see..

[PlatinumState]

I thought Kon was like 23-24. But he turned 20 two months ago

[FrodoBaggins]

What's Kon's handle and pull-up game like? I know he was a sneaky-good playmaker in college. I heard he's studying/studied Jimmy Butler for his finishing and footwork. And Klay for the off-ball offense. I wouldn't put a cap on his potential with Luka right there dominating. Different skillsets/games but similar general weaknesses.

Maybe he could develop into an on-ball/off-ball hybrid like Booker or Curry.

[jasonxxx102]

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Knueppel has impressed the heck out of me. 15 ppg 56% from the field 58% from 3. Tied for most 3s in first 3 games in NBA history (11). It just seems like he has played in the NBA for years when you watch him.

Also Sion James and Kalkbrenner both being legit rotation players through 3 games is very promising for the Hornets. Sion James is already the team's best perimeter defender and looks to be the perfect "Dort-esque" player for the Hornets.

Read on Twitter

?t=LeS9VWxRV6DXQrBf9K00gQ&s=19

Knueppel is good but the issue is he’s basically already at his ceiling. There’s no real higher plateau to reach. That’s why picking him 4 was questioned.

I get what you're saying, but the same thing was being said about Luka pre-draft. And while he was great, he leveled up quite a bit since coming to the NBA. Obviously not saying Knueppel is anywhere near Luka, just that he can keep improving.

Please please please show me a quote where someone said Luka had a low ceiling.

[Special_Puppy]

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Knueppel has impressed the heck out of me. 15 ppg 56% from the field 58% from 3. Tied for most 3s in first 3 games in NBA history (11). It just seems like he has played in the NBA for years when you watch him.

Also Sion James and Kalkbrenner both being legit rotation players through 3 games is very promising for the Hornets. Sion James is already the team's best perimeter defender and looks to be the perfect "Dort-esque" player for the Hornets.

Read on Twitter

?t=LeS9VWxRV6DXQrBf9K00gQ&s=19

Knueppel is good but the issue is he’s basically already at his ceiling. There’s no real higher plateau to reach. That’s why picking him 4 was questioned.

Why would a 20 year already have reached his ceiling

[Ice Man]

Please please please show me a quote where someone said Luka had a low ceiling.

Oh, lots of people did before he was drafted. This guy for example -

In my opinion, Doncic doesn’t have the biggest upside of all the prospects in this draft, but I do believe that he is the safest pick

https://hoopsprospects.com/2018/06/luka-doncic-scouting-report/

Or -

Is not a point guard at next level … is a wing playmaker who can play the 2-3

https://arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-suns/nba-draft-2018-luka-doncic-scouting-report/1529902/

Or -

NBA Comparison: Toni Kukoc/Hedo Turkoglu

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/luka-doncic/#google_vignette

[jasonxxx102]

Oh I remember the Hedo comps now lol

Anyone remember that dude who called himself Yoda? Rashad Phillips maybe?

Had Luka behind Bagley because he wasn’t athletic enough to play in the NBA. That guy had the worst takes of all time.

Wonder if he’s still doing horrible prospect analysis

[Trey24]

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Knueppel has impressed the heck out of me. 15 ppg 56% from the field 58% from 3. Tied for most 3s in first 3 games in NBA history (11). It just seems like he has played in the NBA for years when you watch him.

Also Sion James and Kalkbrenner both being legit rotation players through 3 games is very promising for the Hornets. Sion James is already the team's best perimeter defender and looks to be the perfect "Dort-esque" player for the Hornets.

Read on Twitter

?t=LeS9VWxRV6DXQrBf9K00gQ&s=19

Knueppel is good but the issue is he’s basically already at his ceiling. There’s no real higher plateau to reach. That’s why picking him 4 was questioned.

Why would a 20 year already have reached his ceiling

I fell into the trap of agreeing that Kon had a low ceiling before the draft but I was proven wrong quickly and have been repeatedly since. He just turned 20 and has a ton of upside as a 2 way do it all type of player with elite shooting.

[EmpireFalls]

Knueppel is good but the issue is he’s basically already at his ceiling. There’s no real higher plateau to reach. That’s why picking him 4 was questioned.

Why would a 20 year already have reached his ceiling

I fell into the trap of agreeing that Kon had a low ceiling before the draft but I was proven wrong quickly and have been repeatedly since. He just turned 20 and has a ton of upside as a 2 way do it all type of player with elite shooting.

He has already got A+ tier shooting, footwork, reading of the game, fundamentals

He has C- tier athleticism and a weird frame with very little length or burst

Which do players improve in the league? The former not the latter. He can’t become a better athlete.

All of his weaknesses are because of him being a poor athlete with heavy feet and no burst. And those are simply not fixable unless he gets on some sort of Miami LeBron PED regimen. Thus, he cannot get meaningfully better than this (which is a good player, to be fair)

[Trey24]

Why would a 20 year already have reached his ceiling

I fell into the trap of agreeing that Kon had a low ceiling before the draft but I was proven wrong quickly and have been repeatedly since. He just turned 20 and has a ton of upside as a 2 way do it all type of player with elite shooting.

He has already got A+ tier shooting, footwork, reading of the game, fundamentals

He has C- tier athleticism and a weird frame with very little length or burst

Which do players improve in the league? The former not the latter. He can’t become a better athlete.

All of his weaknesses are because of him being a poor athlete with heavy feet and no burst. And those are simply not fixable unless he gets on some sort of Miami LeBron PED regimen. Thus, he cannot get meaningfully better than this (which is a good player, to be fair)

I think you are overthinking this. Many "athletically challenged" players have improved tremendously throughout their careers. I mean there are too many to name. I have already seen improvement in Kon since Summer League so I do think he will continue to get better.

I do not know what his ceiling is but it feels like he could reach All Star Level one day and that is pretty promising.

And the "he's not going to get any more athletic" argument is a weird one because you could make the same case about someone you would consider athletic like Cam Whitmore, who I don't think will ever be more athletic than he is right now. With your argument you are essentially saying that a player like Cam Whitmore is always going to have higher upside than a player like Kon due to athleticism alone which I think misses the total picture.

High skill players can gain skill. The best players in the world can still get better so I am pretty sure a rookie can still improve over his current form as well.

[Jstock12]

Knueppel is good but the issue is he’s basically already at his ceiling. There’s no real higher plateau to reach. That’s why picking him 4 was questioned.

I get what you're saying, but the same thing was being said about Luka pre-draft. And while he was great, he leveled up quite a bit since coming to the NBA. Obviously not saying Knueppel is anywhere near Luka, just that he can keep improving.

Please please please show me a quote where someone said Luka had a low ceiling.

Sigh... Don't twist my words. Not "a low ceiling", but that he's close to his ceiling / final outcome. But yeah, it was said, A LOT. Mostly by ignorant americans. We Europeans knew Luka will be a stud though, mostly because of what he was doing in the Euroleague (tactically much superior league to the NBA, even if the talent level is much lower).

[Duke4life831]

Cooper has hit 21/21 FTs, including the preseason. I really like his shooting upside. Form is smooth, great arc, solid rotation, soft release, very balanced base. 87.7% FT over his last 27 college games. 44.4% 3PT, too. I'm sticking to my prediction of him developing into an 85%+ FT, 37-40%+ 3PT, 45%+ mid-range guy with good diversity of pull-up, movement catch-and-shoot, and spot-up catch-and-shoot. Something like Kawhi.

Ya he was a lights out shooter the last 29 games of the season.

Thats two major positives for him in my opinion.

#1. He’s a defensive wing with point forward ability. Most of the time you hear that about a guy coming out of college, you’re expecting shooting to be a weakness (ala Ben Simmons or Scottie Barnes). Flagg was flirting with 50/40/90 after his first month in college.

#2. His offensive progression has been insane. 3 years ago when he burst onto the scene at the U-17 World Cup. He was just the raw athletic defender. Then followed that up with a similar role his first year at Montverde. Then he really started to make some offensive noise in AAU the following summer. Then took a big step his last year offensively at Montverde. Then led Duke at 17/18 years old in scoring and assists.

[BlazersBroncos]

Yang has been bad for Portland so not trying to throw stones in a glass house but man the BRK rookies all look really bad.

[ValvPiti]

Okay guys, I just traded for Cedric Coward in my dynasty league like a dumbass (maybe overpaid..), fill me in here. Wing play looks kinda suspect in Memphis and who cant use a wing player like Coward. Whats the ceiling here? I was looking at him and was thinking a player in the mold of PG/Jimmy Buckets/Kawhi!

[MMyhre]

https://youtube.com/shorts/eFfc7jbl3u0?si=bpupDo4sp0inwGPf
This is just gorgeous from Flagg, handling and pushing the pace with his left hand into a smooth spin into the instant alley oop. Special kid, no better way to learn fast than to play against NBA defenses.

He could become one of the more complete players we have seen, you get some Magic Johnson vibes looking at him push the pace on fastbreaks with his size and speed. Could he become that good at handling the ball? Why not. Would be a beastly player, he is fun to watch.

[Special_Puppy]

I fell into the trap of agreeing that Kon had a low ceiling before the draft but I was proven wrong quickly and have been repeatedly since. He just turned 20 and has a ton of upside as a 2 way do it all type of player with elite shooting.

He has already got A+ tier shooting, footwork, reading of the game, fundamentals

He has C- tier athleticism and a weird frame with very little length or burst

Which do players improve in the league? The former not the latter. He can’t become a better athlete.

All of his weaknesses are because of him being a poor athlete with heavy feet and no burst. And those are simply not fixable unless he gets on some sort of Miami LeBron PED regimen. Thus, he cannot get meaningfully better than this (which is a good player, to be fair)

I think you are overthinking this. Many "athletically challenged" players have improved tremendously throughout their careers. I mean there are too many to name. I have already seen improvement in Kon since Summer League so I do think he will continue to get better.

I do not know what his ceiling is but it feels like he could reach All Star Level one day and that is pretty promising.

And the "he's not going to get any more athletic" argument is a weird one because you could make the same case about someone you would consider athletic like Cam Whitmore, who I don't think will ever be more athletic than he is right now. With your argument you are essentially saying that a player like Cam Whitmore is always going to have higher upside than a player like Kon due to athleticism alone which I think misses the total picture.

High skill players can gain skill. The best players in the world can still get better so I am pretty sure a rookie can still improve over his current form as well.

“High ceiling = Jump High” has always been a weird belief. Curry, Jokic, Harden, and Shai have reached outstanding heights without amazing physical tools

[EmpireFalls]

He has already got A+ tier shooting, footwork, reading of the game, fundamentals

He has C- tier athleticism and a weird frame with very little length or burst

Which do players improve in the league? The former not the latter. He can’t become a better athlete.

All of his weaknesses are because of him being a poor athlete with heavy feet and no burst. And those are simply not fixable unless he gets on some sort of Miami LeBron PED regimen. Thus, he cannot get meaningfully better than this (which is a good player, to be fair)

I think you are overthinking this. Many "athletically challenged" players have improved tremendously throughout their careers. I mean there are too many to name. I have already seen improvement in Kon since Summer League so I do think he will continue to get better.

I do not know what his ceiling is but it feels like he could reach All Star Level one day and that is pretty promising.

And the "he's not going to get any more athletic" argument is a weird one because you could make the same case about someone you would consider athletic like Cam Whitmore, who I don't think will ever be more athletic than he is right now. With your argument you are essentially saying that a player like Cam Whitmore is always going to have higher upside than a player like Kon due to athleticism alone which I think misses the total picture.

High skill players can gain skill. The best players in the world can still get better so I am pretty sure a rookie can still improve over his current form as well.

“High ceiling = Jump High” has always been a weird belief. Curry, Jokic, Harden, and Shai have reached outstanding heights without amazing physical tools

Jokic has amazing physical tools in that he’s absolutely gigantic and problably the strongest player in the NBA

Shai’s first step, body control, and smoothness at 6’6” is the definition of amazing physical tools

Harden and Luka are not going to wow you with their 6 pack or speed but their strength and decel are both 0.01th percentile elite

Steph meanwhile has the endurance of a marathon runner and can calmly shoot with the precision of a long-distance sniper after running for 20 seconds straight

Kon is nowhere near any of them physically and never will be.

[Ice Man]

https://youtube.com/shorts/eFfc7jbl3u0?si=bpupDo4sp0inwGPf
This is just gorgeous from Flagg, handling and pushing the pace with his left hand into a smooth spin into the instant alley oop. Special kid, no better way to learn fast than to play against NBA defenses.

I thought he might be in trouble against NBA defenses with those spins. But they have worked well for him. He's had some trouble figuring out where he fits with Dallas's offense, and has been too passive at times. You can see that he's a rook when it comes to fitting into the offensive flow. But his moves already look NBA-ready.