As the Brooklyn Nets prepare for the 2025 NBA Draft, all signs point to them selecting Duke freshman and elite sharpshooter Kon Knueppel with the eighth overall pick.
While the franchise hoped to land Cooper Flagg, who is projected to go No. 1 to the Dallas Mavericks, the Nets now turn their attention to Flagg’s teammate, a player who has steadily risen up draft boards thanks to his versatile offensive game and NBA-ready shooting stroke.
Knueppel, a 6-foot-6, 217-pound wing, averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game during his lone season at Duke while shooting 47.9% from the field, 40.6% from three-point range, and 91.4% from the free-throw line.
His smooth release, high basketball IQ, and ability to read the floor have drawn comparisons to players like Cameron Johnson, Kevin Huerter, Saddiq Bey, and Corey Kispert, efficient, smart wings who space the floor and make the right reads.
For a Nets team that ranked in the bottom third of the league in three-point percentage and offensive efficiency, Knueppel addresses multiple needs.
Not only is he a reliable perimeter threat, but his passing out of pick-and-rolls, off-ball movement, and ability to attack closeouts give him value beyond being “just a shooter.”
According to Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, Knueppel has “separated himself” in this draft class by showcasing more versatility and decision-making than scouts initially expected.
The Nets have already met with Knueppel during the NBA Draft Combine and plan to bring him to Brooklyn for an in-person workout.
While he didn’t participate in athletic testing or shooting drills due to a minor ankle injury, his résumé speaks for itself, especially his performance in the ACC Tournament, where he averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists without Flagg and led Duke to a conference title, earning ACC Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
Knueppel has studied film of Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler, emphasizing consistency, shot mechanics, and controlled aggression in the mid-range. Brooklyn’s strategy is clear: find the best player available with upside and NBA readiness.
With Cam Johnson’s future uncertain due to injuries and contract flexibility, Knueppel could immediately fill a rotation role and grow into a core piece of the rebuild. Duke teammate Cooper Flagg has even vouched for him, calling Knueppel a “safe pick” for any franchise.
While top prospects like Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and Tre Johnson may be off the board by No. 8, the Nets seem confident Knueppel could offer similar impact, especially as a floor-spacer alongside rising playmakers like Cam Thomas.
With multiple first-round picks and cap space, the Nets are poised to reshape their roster. Drafting Kon Knueppel won’t just add shooting, it adds winning DNA from a Duke program that trusted him to lead, and Brooklyn is betting he can do the same in the NBA.
