Carmelo Anthony champions Charlotte Hornets Kon Knueppel for co-ROTY, highlighting his historic three-point barrage and unique rookie impact.
It really wasn't too surprising that the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award went to the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg.
Flagg had better overall production Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in 71 appearances. He shot 46.8 percent from the field, 29.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 82.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Knueppel averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game through 81 appearances. The former Blue Devils star shot 47.5 percent from the field, 42.5 percent from beyond the three-point line, and 86.3 percent from the free-throw line.
While Flagg had the better overall numbers, Knueppel made his presence known with the three-ball. He led the NBA with 273 made three-point shots.
During an episode of his podcast "7 PM in Brooklyn" this week, Hall of Fame basketball player Carmelo Anthony argued that Flagg and Knueppel should have earned co-Rookie of the Year honors.
“I think both are phenomenal," Anthony said. "I think they should be Co-Rookie of the Year. If there’s a time for Co-Rookie of the Year, this is the time for Co-Rookie of the Year. I’ve been saying this for the past month because you’ve got to keep in perspective what Cooper is doing.
"Like, what he is doing is unbelievable. To lead the team in all of those statistical categories as a rookie is something special. And almost playing out of position (at point guard)... Cooper's development was very impressive to me, while leading with those stats."
Anthony thinks Knueppel should be rewarded for the way he entered the league and immediately became a threat from beyond the arc.
"Knueppel, the same way," Anthony said. "When you talk about the amount of threes that Knueppel made this year as a rookie, that’s some wild numbers. It’s not production versus winning.
"Let’s get both of them (expletive) Rookie of the Year and make it co-Rookie of the Year. This is more J-Kidd, Grant Hill. More Steve Francis, Elton Brand. This is the time to do Co-Rookie of the Year."
Unfortunately for Knueppel, the vote didn't fall that way. He earned 44 first-place votes to Flagg's 56.
Knueppel has the ability to compete for other better prizes in the future like an NBA championship and MVP. But there will always be a question if he was robbed as a rookie of a pretty nice prize.