The Charlotte Hornets drafted Kon Knueppel with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 draft because of LaMelo Ball's scouting report on the Duke product.
The Charlotte Hornets really value LaMelo Ball, so much so that the front office listened to his scouting report on Kon Knueppel and drafted the Duke product with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson told Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN that Ball urged him to draft Knueppel in last year's draft.
"He's spot on with those traits," Peterson said. "He was very detailed in his evaluation of why he liked him. That was even more impressive that he was able to kind of highlight him because there were some other guys that he didn't highlight. He may have a future in the front office if he wants."
Knueppel is the first rookie in NBA history to lead the league in 3-pointers. He beat Ball and Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic this season.
Knueppel finished his rookie season averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 47.5% from the field, 42.5% from beyond the arc and 86.3% from the free-throw line. He missed only one game.
Knueppel and Ball are only the second pair of teammates in NBA history to finish first and second in 3-point field goals in a single season. The other pair was Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who did it in four straight seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
"We were passing each other good looks, just trying to make the right reads. There wasn't like somebody going in there jacking. We were passing it back and forth trying to make the right play. It just happened to be me," Knueppel said. "That's what I care about. How am I impacting my teammates? Am I making things easier for them? Am I helping our team win games? That's where my focus goes. If everybody's focused on that, we'll have a good team."
The Hornets are the ninth seed in the East. They will face the Miami Heat in the 9-10 NBA play-in game. If Charlotte beats Miami, Knueppel and Ball will face the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers-Orlando Magic 7-8 play-in game. If the Hornets lose to the Heat, their season is over.
It will be fascinating to see if the Hornets make the playoffs this year for the first time since 2016. Knueppel will make the All-Rookie First Team. He will also finish first or second in Rookie of the Year voting.
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