Not just Cooper Flagg - this is the other Duke star who could go top 5 in the NBA Draft
The Dallas Mavericks won the No. 1 overall pick and are likely to take Duke star Cooper Flagg, but there’s another Duke player we should be talking about.
The NBA Draft Lottery determined that the Dallas Mavericks would get the first pick in the 2025 Draft. After a dramatic season that saw them trade away their superstar Luka Doncic and upset their entire fanbase, the fact that they will likely now get Duke star Cooper Flagg is the storyline of the event.
But there’s another Duke player who we should be talking about as well, and that’s Kon Knueppel.
Kon Knueppel said he's studied film of Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler:
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) May 14, 2025
"Klay, just his consistently. His [shooting] form is perfect. And then Jimmy Butler. I like watching how he plays in the lane with patience using shot fakes and pivots."
Knueppel wants to improve shooting… pic.twitter.com/TnByydLX6p
Kon Knueppel: The other Duke star
While Flagg is the undisputed projection to go first overall, one NBA executive expects Duke shooting guard Kon Knueppel to go in the top five as well, according to a report from HoopsHype.
“Kon Knueppel could also go Top 5 if it’s a team that does need to win right away,” said the anonymous executive. “He’s an offense-first version. Like a better shooting De’Andre Hunter, but with a little less defense. Hunter’s much longer than Knueppel. But the whole point is the role versatility. You’re betting on IQ, shooting, and fit.”
At the moment, the projections have him going just outside of the top five, but if this executive is right, it would mean Knueppel would be going to either the Mavs, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, or Utah Jazz.
Here are the results from the NBA Draft Lottery for the top 14 picks:
1. Dallas Mavericks
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Charlotte Hornets
5. Utah Jazz
6. Washington Wizards
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Brooklyn Nets
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Houston Rockets
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Atlanta Hawks
14. San Antonio Spurs•
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