The 2025 NBA draft is right around the corner, and the buzz around Barclays Center is already heating up. And no, it is not simply because it is the host venue. The Brooklyn Nets, who were hoping for a better lottery outcome, have had a fall from grace. The Nets slid down to No. 8 pick after May’s draw in Chicago.
And with four first-rounders in their pocket and cap space flexibility to play with, Brooklyn’s next move might shake up the board more than expected. One name is making a lot of noise in the lead-up, Duke’s smooth-shooting Kon Knueppel. Nets seem to have some interest in him. And the latest mock draft agrees.
Brooklyn Bound? Mock Draft Predicts Kon Knueppel as Nets’ Next Sharp Shooter
ESPN’s latest mock draft turns the spotlight on the 6’7″ Duke star, Knueppel, as the Nets’ potential pick at No. 8. And it makes a lot of sense. Knueppel comes with a silky shot and off-the-charts efficiency. He, after all, had 40.6% from deep on 207 attempts at the combine.
Duke’s Kon Knueppel made, as you might expect, a lot of shots at the Priority Sports pro day. Bunch of fun pick and roll, off screen and pullup actions showing off his movement shooting, pristine footwork and body control. pic.twitter.com/NyUExlHJg4
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 19, 2025
Knueppel checks a lot of Brooklyn’s boxes. He is reliable, versatile, and has a high-level offensive IQ. In fact, ESPN described him as a “nice building block” for a Brooklyn team trying to straddle present competitiveness with future promise.
The idea of Kon Knueppel pairing with Brooklyn’s current core, especially considering the offensive ceiling, is an interesting one. Knueppel is crafty, smart in pick-and-rolls, and can make plays after ball screens. He’s a bit of a Cam Johnson lookalike, minus the hops, of course.
Still, the hoops fandom cannot get too comfortable with the idea. Word around the league is that the Nets may not stay put at No. 8. With four first-round picks in their war chest and the flexibility to eat or shed contracts, rival executives believe Brooklyn could be up for a trade.
ESPN even floated names like Egor Demin and Kasparas Jakucionis, or big man Derik Queen, as options if the Nets shake things up. And that is where things get a bit more interesting. According to College Sports Network, while ESPN is dreaming of Kon Knueppel in black and white, CSN’s prediction swings a different direction.
CSN sees Brooklyn going for Kasparas Jakucionis, a 6’6” lead guard from Illinois who’s been torching defences. At Illinois, he averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, and he’s got that overseas flair NBA teams love.
Jakucionis might not be the sharpshooter Knueppel is, but he brings the playmaking upside and on-ball dynamism that could be big on Brooklyn’s backcourt. And let’s be honest, out of Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton, the Nets don’t exactly scream young talent.
Still, there is no doubt that Kon Knueppel may offer a better fit when it comes to scoring needs and long-term value. With the Nets holding their own first-round pick for the first time in four years, they’ve got a real chance to swing big.
Whether they choose Knueppel’s shooting or Jakucionis’ size and creation will say a lot about Brooklyn’s vision for itself.
KEEP READING: Why College Basketball Players Keep Transfer Options Open After Declaring for the NBA Draft
Either way, the Nets are in a position to do something bold. Now the question is, will they stick and draft? Or will they deal and surprise us all?
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
