Kon Knueppel, a Duke University sharpshooting standout, has been drawing fans’ and scouts’ attention with his silky jumper and high basketball IQ. His size and athleticism have split fans into two camps: those who see a future star and those who see a gamble not worth taking. With the draft days away, the debate is only getting louder.
Why Size and Athleticism Matter in Today’s NBA
Guards need quickness to shake defenders and toughness to finish through contact. Wings and bigs need length to contest shots and muscle to battle in the paint. Knueppel’s frame and burst don’t scream elite by league standards, and that’s the concern here.
At 6’5”, he’s not small, but he’s not blowing anyone away with speed or vertical pop either. For a guard, that could mean trouble keeping up with the likes of Ja Morant or outmuscling bigger wings like Jayson Tatum.
Duke’s Kon Knueppel’s official measurements from the NBA Draft Combine:
6’5 barefoot, 219 lbs with a 6’6 ¼” wingspan and 8’5 ½” standing reach pic.twitter.com/Kg2wVJtOvz
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 12, 2025
Draft debates often highlight a key trend worth noting: many players labeled as “low ceiling” have gone on to defy expectations and reach All-Star status. Some of the clear examples are: Draymond Green, an undersized and overlooked player out of Michigan State, but he later became the heartbeat of a Warriors dynasty.
Also, Nikola Jokic, lacking elite athleticism, of course, later turned his skill and vision into two MVP awards. One may say this is the path Knueppel will follow if a team trusts in his intangibles and provides the right system for him to succeed.
The NBA punishes weak links, primarily when stars hunt mismatches in the playoffs. Knueppel’s lateral quickness has scouts wondering. Can he stay in front of shifty guards? Will he get torched by quicker opponents? These are the kind of flaws that can sink a prospect’s stock.
One fan offers a measure and take: “Calling these ‘red flags’ is kinda weird. They’re ‘yellow flags’, things that make you slow down and check for more, but aren’t deal breakers alone. And when I watched Kon defend this year, it was fine. He’s not a great on-ball defender, but he holds up enough that I don’t think he’ll be targeted.”
Knueppel might not be a stopper, but if he’s not a liability, teams can scheme around that.
The Utah Jazz at a Crossroads With the Fifth Pick
The Utah Jazz are sitting at the fifth pick and at a fork in the road. After trading away Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, the Jazz are stockpiling assets and hunting for their next cornerstone. Knueppel could be a safe, plug-and-play option, the kind of player that will step in and start contributing from day one.
The Jazz fans admitted the bias at play: “Yeah, red flags may have been a little aggressive, I’ll admit that. I guess my feelings are stronger due to being a Jazz fan and a large percentage of our fan base wants to take him at five over higher ceiling prospects.” It’s a classic dilemma.
Can one bank on Knueppel’s polish, or roll the dice on someone with more upside? Another fan said again, “Utah is the most interesting spot in the draft right now for me. Lots of ‘good’ options, but they all have their yellow flags too. I think I’d probably just take Tre Johnson and worry about making it work down the line.”
Tre Johnson, a younger guard with flashier tools, represents the other side of the coin: higher risk, higher reward.
Johnson is a different beast, a 6’6” guard with explosive athleticism and a developing shot. He’s rawer than Knueppel, there’s no question in that, his physical tools scream upside.
If the Jazz pass on Knueppel, they’re betting on potential over polish. Other names could surface, too, depending on how the top four shake out. Each choice carries its own set of flags.
KEEP READING: 2025 NBA Draft Watch: 5 College Basketball Stars Who Could Go Undrafted, Including PJ Haggerty
Knueppel’s camp would argue he’s the safer bet. He’s not a project; he’s ready to play. But in a league where stars dominate, one must admit that being prepared doesn’t always mean making a big impact.
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