The NBA draft is quickly approaching and the Washington Wizards are a team that is looking to accelerate their rebuild with a strong draft. The team has not qualified for the playoffs since 2021 and has not won a playoff round since 2017. In 2024, they had an important draft, making three selections in the first round, including Alex Sarr with the second pick.
This year, the Wizards only have one pick in the first round, but it is a high one at sixth overall. As a result, they have an opportunity to select a player who could be a starter for years to come. On Monday, the Pro Football Network posted a full two-round mock draft, looking at who each team could select.
According to them, it looks like the Washington Wizards could be eyeing Duke’s Kon Knueppel. Knueppel is viewed as a high-IQ wing who thrived as Cooper Flagg’s right-hand man last season. He is also an exceptional shooter, shooting at a 40.6% rate from 3-point range in his freshman season.
Knueppel could fit on the Wizards as a prototypical 3-and-D wing. He is a great shooter and showed his capabilities on defense during his time at Duke. He has even drawn comparisons to NBA star Klay Thompson on X.
“Is it safe to say comparing Kon Knueppel to Klay Thompson is unfair to Klay?” journalist Marc Weber wrote.
Is it safe to say comparing Kon Knueppel to Klay Thompson is unfair to Klay?#nbadraft pic.twitter.com/Krd9w4vGpS
— Marc Weber (@MarcWeberSports) June 19, 2025
Cooper Flagg is drawing most of the attention when it comes to Duke prospects. However, Kon Knueppel also appears to be a strong prospect and could have an impact in the NBA as early as next season.
The Washington Wizards Could Be One of Three Teams Selecting Duke Players in the Top 10
The Dallas Mavericks are projected to select Cooper Flagg with the first pick in the 2025 NBA draft. Kon Knueppel is also expected to go in the Top 10 and the Washington Wizards could be a good fit. However, they are not the only two Duke players projected to go in the Top 10.
Khaman Maluach is also projected to go in the Top 10. The Pro Football Network’s mock draft has him going ninth to the Toronto Raptors. Maluach has been mocked to the Raptors by many media outlets. The team could use size, and adding the 7′ 2″ Duke center would certainly help in that area next season.
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