After the Charlotte Hornets secured the third-worst record and the Utah Jazz finished dead last, they unfortunately fell a few spots in the draft lottery.
The Hornets received pick 4 and the Utah Jazz pick 5, but that will not stop them from going after the prospect they want. After a season of tanking and not being rewarded the way they were hoping, they will likely have to shift gears and focus on other prospects.
Kon Knueppel has gained interest from both teams, according to NBA Draft Analyst, Krysten Peek.
Teams around the league believe Knueppel can seamlessly slide in alongside a star, ball-dominant player like Cooper Flagg and still find ways to positively impact the game.
Knuepell is a 6’7 sharpshooter that averaged 14.4 ppg as well as 4 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He shot an incredible 40.6% from three at just 19 years old.
Both the Jazz and Hornets are in rebuild mode and would love to have a guy like Knueppel become a part of the roster.
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With players like Lauri Markkanen and LaMelo Ball taking a step back this year, Knueppel could increase both teams' tempo, and he fits the frame for a rebuilding team.
Knueppel played mostly off the ball at Duke, but at such a young age, he will have more than enough time to develop his game into something much more.
A sharpshooter coming off NBA-caliber screens being set up by true point guards will be useful for any team that drafts him.
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