If pre-season projections are a sign of things to come, then Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg is going to run away with the Rookie of the Year award. A generational prospect, Flagg is the heavy favorite for the honor, thus resulting in many believing that a player such as Charlotte Hornets wing Kon Knueppel should be eyeing All-Rookie honors instead.
During ESPN's recent offseason survey, however, an anonymous coach expressed a relatively shocking belief that Knueppel could upset Flagg and win the award instead.
Charlotte selected Knueppel at No. 4 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. It was a somewhat surprising move, with many expecting the Duke Blue Devils star to go a bit further down the board, but many have praised it as a wise selection.
In ESPN's 2025 offseason survey, one anonymous coach went as far as to make the case for Knueppel winning Rookie of the Year in 2025-26:
"He'll be on a bad team, will have the ball in his hands and put up numbers."
A solitary vote may not seem like much to write home about, but the context reveals the significance: Knueppel was the only player other than Flagg to receive a nod for Rookie of the Year.
Kon Knueppel receives Rookie of the Year vote in ESPN offseason survey
Knueppel, 20, is staying local after turning in a memorable freshman season with the Duke Blue Devils in 2024-25. He won the ACC Tournament MVP award, as well as second-team All-ACC and ACC All-Freshman Team honors.
A five-star recruit coming out of high school who justified the hype as a freshman at one of the most high-profile programs in the nation, Knueppel is no stranger to facing monumental pressure.
In 2025-26, Knueppel will be tasked with joining forces with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller as the current franchise cornerstones look to stabilize a decade of turbulence. It's been nine seasons since the Hornets made the playoffs, as well as three since they won at least 30 games.
If Knueppel can help the Hornets turn the corner and compete for a spot in the playoffs, then Rookie of the Year may very well be a realistic goal.
The thought process of the anonymous coach who voted for Knueppel, however, is that Charlotte will struggle again in 2025-26. In this scenario, they project that Knueppel will handle the ball consistently and thus have an opportunity to post significant statistics.
Knueppel would have a case if he emulates his freshman-year averages of 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steal, and 2.2 three-point field goals made on .479/.406/.914 shooting.
The question mark in this scenario is whether or not the type of opportunities the anonymous coach implied Knueppel will have will actually exist. Ball, Miller, and Miles Bridges combined to attempt 56.5 field goals and 28.1 three-point field goals per game in 2024-25, and each recorded a usage rate of 27.0 or higher.
If Knueppel receives the opportunities the anonymous coach projected him to, however, he could very well put up the type of numbers to enter Rookie of the Year discussions.