Kon Knueppel and Jared McCain don’t play the same position, but both Duke products share similar traits. Could Knueppel be the guy for the Sixers in the 2025 NBA Draft?
In today’s NBA, you can never have too many wings — especially ones who can shoot. Just look at the teams that make deep playoff runs: most of them have at least one or two high-level wings anchoring their rotation. Beyond filling a positional need, shooting is always at a premium. That’s where Duke’s Kon Knueppel comes in. Outside of top-tier prospects like Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey, Knueppel might be the best wing available in the 2025 draft.
As it stands, Knueppel is projected to be selected somewhere in the middle of the 2025 lottery, making him a strong candidate for the Sixers’ pick if it falls within the top six. So, should they consider him? And what can the team expect from the former Duke Blue Devil? Let’s take a closer look.
Strengths
Shooting, shooting, shooting — that’s where every scouting report on Kon Knueppel begins. He boasts a smooth, quick release paired with elite efficiency: 47.9% from the field, 40.6% from three on high volume, and 91.4% from the free throw line. Knueppel is dangerous both on and off the ball, capable of creating his own shot off the dribble while also thriving within the flow of the offense. He relocates well, uses screens effectively, and stays active without the ball — a polished scorer with a sharp feel for spacing.
Knueppel’s shooting ability is no secret — which means defenses, both in college and at the next level, are quick to chase him off the line. But that’s where his game becomes even more impressive. He thrives in half-court settings and can score at all three levels thanks to a crafty offensive toolkit. Using fakes, angles, and his strong frame, Knueppel consistently finds ways to finish at the rim despite lacking elite athleticism.
Physically, Knueppel’s toughness and competitiveness are among the best in this draft class. His strong frame and core strength allow him to absorb contact, create space, and hold his own against more athletic wings. He’s not afraid to battle on the boards or mix it up defensively. Mentally, he brings a high basketball IQ and sharp court awareness — consistently making smart, instinctive plays that keep him one step ahead of the defense.
That basketball IQ is what could separate Knueppel from being just a gifted shooter to becoming a more complete offensive threat. He sees the floor well for a wing, boasting a near 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio (2.7 assists to 1.4 turnovers). He plays unselfishly, consistently using his shooting gravity to bend defenses, create passing lanes, and draw attention — all while making the right read more often than not.
Weaknesses
Most of the concerns with Knueppel stem from his athleticism — or lack thereof. He’s not particularly explosive and tends to play below the rim. His foot speed on defense is a clear question mark, making it tough for him to stay in front of quicker guards or switch effectively in space. Offensively, his first step is average at best, which could limit his ability to consistently create separation at the next level. At Duke, he often relied on screens or misdirection rather than pure quickness to beat defenders.
One of the more under-discussed concerns is his impact in transition. Knueppel doesn’t change ends especially fast, and for someone with a quick release, that slow pace could limit his chances for open looks early in the shot clock. In today’s NBA, where pace and space are king, his limited transition value is worth monitoring.
While his high IQ and strong frame help make up for some of those physical limitations, his lack of lateral quickness caps his ceiling as an on-ball defender. If he can’t improve in those areas, there’s a risk that his offensive game becomes overly dependent on the perimeter shot — and if that shot isn’t falling, it could narrow his overall impact on the floor.
Potential Fit with the Sixers
The last player the Sixers took — coincidentally from the same school — who had a reliable jumper, a knack for floor spacing, and a relentless motor off the ball worked out pretty well. Despite the fact that Jared McCain and Knueppel are different players at different positions, many of their strengths and weaknesses overlap.
On one hand, NBA teams can never have enough shooting, and the Sixers are no exception. Just look at Georges Niang, a reliable veteran shooter who had some of his best years in Philly. That’s no coincidence. With Tyrese Maxey and (presumably) Joel Embiid commanding so much defensive attention, surrounding them with knockdown shooters is essential to relieve offensive pressure and keep defenses honest. Knueppel fits that mold. Not only can he space the floor, but he also has the vision and feel to handle the ball in pick-and-roll situations, adding another potential dimension to the Sixers’ halfcourt offense.
On the other hand, the Sixers’ projected backcourt is already on the smaller side, with Maxey and McCain. Knueppel would likely slot in as a small forward, but the trio would come with defensive question marks. With such a high pick, you’d want to ensure that these potential fit concerns don’t limit playing time, especially considering that top-six picks aren’t cheap investments.
While Knueppel has an undeniably high floor, some would argue that other prospects in his range (Tre Johnson, Khaman Maluach, Jeremiah Fears, etc.) offer much more upside. When you’re picking this high in the draft, that’s a major consideration.
Overall, there’s a lot to like about Knueppel and his potential fit with any team. However, it’s hard to justify using a top-six pick on him, given the possible fit concerns and limited upside. The Sixers would need to be confident that Knueppel can expand his offensive game and be able to handle the defensive demands of guarding NBA wings to warrant such a selection.
That being said, Knueppel is definitely one of my favorite trade-down candidates. He has an NBA-ready skill in his shooting, and there’s evidence suggesting he can be a more complete and well-rounded offensive player. If the Sixers look to trade down, they could do a lot worse than Knueppel.