2025 NBA Draft

[SpursBills]

CMB can handle, drive, pass and facilitate the offense from the perimeter. He’s usually positioned at the free throw line out to the 3 point line when he receives the ball. He’s definitely a face up not a back to the basket player. He can definitely defend on the perimeter. These players you’re comparing him to past interior bigs play nothing like him so instead of researching your undersized big theory which you’re correct obviously I suggest watch more CMB tape. He’s more Draymond Green than those past bigs you named. He played with the worst supporting cast competing in arguably the toughest conference in NCAA history.

LOL I've been CMB's biggest backer on this entire board dude and said that he's a top 5 prospect in my book. I've watched plenty of his games and know exactly how he plays. My entire point of the post was that he does all three of those things so he has a far greater avenue to success compared to traditional undersized bigs that previously busted in the NBA.

[rascal]

We don’t want him to keep doing this. He’ll jump into the top 4 and there’ll be no chance. The Spurs should know how talented he is by now. Well, if the Spurs jump to 3, 4 at least I think Kon is the undisputed third or fourth best player of this draft. People are sleeping on Kon. His high school tape shows he’s much more than he is, just like Castle’s did. He has a good in-between game to where he doesn’t just suffer being a 1-dimensional player. He also has good lateral speed to stay in front of his man. But above all, the kid is highly intelligent and makes heads up plays. Kon is the obvious Spurs pick if the Spurs don’t land the top 2 picks.

You are overrating him. He's not a top 4. He's listed at 6' 7" but looks smaller and I'll bet his meausurements will be smaller.

[Dejounte]

You are overrating him. He's not a top 4. He's listed at 6' 7" but looks smaller and I'll bet his meausurements will be smaller.

Nah, I’m not.

[FutureMan]

The rage I would feel if they drafted Kon over Edgecomb…. It would Haliburton all over again.

[south side spur]

LOL I've been CMB's biggest backer on this entire board dude and said that he's a top 5 prospect in my book. I've watched plenty of his games and know exactly how he plays. My entire point of the post was that he does all three of those things so he has a far greater avenue to success compared to traditional undersized bigs that previously busted in the NBA.

Thats my mistake then I was confused why those names were even brought up I thought y’all were comparing him to them.

[Mr. Body]

The rage I would feel if they drafted Kon over Edgecomb…. It would Haliburton all over again.

I'm warming to Kneuppel but yeah, Edgecombe has the ceiling here.

[SpursBills]

Nah, I’m not.

This is what I said about him in early February:

“Kon Knueppel
The good: best shooting stroke among all the freshmen; has the potential for true movement shooting; shooting 87% FT, 38% 3s on high rate with higher degree of difficulty than just spot ups; Surprisingly underrated defender - top 10 in freshman defensive BPR this year and moves his feet well, good positioning; 3:1 AST:TO indicates good decision-making, sometimes used as an initiator at Duke indicates playmaking potential at the next level
The bad: short (there is no way in he's 6'7"), stubby arms, limited athleticism. 3 point % drops off a cliff the better the compe ion gets, suggesting he may not be able to get his shot off against more athletic defenders at the next level (40% against trash ACC compe ion, 31% vs top 100 compe ion, 23% vs top 50 compe ion). If it wasn't for the athleticism concerns he might have some Desmond Bane equity, but the numbers against good teams make that a lot less likely”

I think it still holds true today - looks like Reddit is catching on to the Desmond bane comp now and I think that’s still probably his 70th percentile outcome. His vertical athleticism seems worse but his passing is more advanced relative to age. I do want to see how he does in the tournament against some better teams before I fully buy in though.

[Mr. Body]

I might say Tre Johnson is a better shooter than Kneuppel, although it doesn't matter that much. Very similar percentages and TJ has to take more difficult shots as the primary. Higher usage. Not the same defender and maybe not as multi-dimensional. Advanced defensive numbers are sometimes bolstered by team play and Duke's is far better.

[Dejounte]

This is what I said about him in early February:

“Kon Knueppel
The good: best shooting stroke among all the freshmen; has the potential for true movement shooting; shooting 87% FT, 38% 3s on high rate with higher degree of difficulty than just spot ups; Surprisingly underrated defender - top 10 in freshman defensive BPR this year and moves his feet well, good positioning; 3:1 AST:TO indicates good decision-making, sometimes used as an initiator at Duke indicates playmaking potential at the next level
The bad: short (there is no way in he's 6'7"), stubby arms, limited athleticism. 3 point % drops off a cliff the better the compe ion gets, suggesting he may not be able to get his shot off against more athletic defenders at the next level (40% against trash ACC compe ion, 31% vs top 100 compe ion, 23% vs top 50 compe ion). If it wasn't for the athleticism concerns he might have some Desmond Bane equity, but the numbers against good teams make that a lot less likely”

I think it still holds true today - looks like Reddit is catching on to the Desmond bane comp now and I think that’s still probably his 70th percentile outcome. His vertical athleticism seems worse but his passing is more advanced relative to age. I do want to see how he does in the tournament against some better teams before I fully buy in though.

My eye test will prevail once again, tbh

People are focused on him as a shooter just as people were focused on Castle as strictly a defender. Kon offers so much more and it will be shown in due time.

[Dejounte]

The early comparison I’ll make for Kon is DeMar DeRozan with a three point shot. I don’t buy the narrative that he’s smaller than 6’7”. I think he’s exactly the same size as DeMar (maybe shorter arms).

https://www.tankathon.com/players/co...-demar-derozan

Dream draft right now would be Kon and a big with the ATL pick: Fleming, CMB, or Queen

[John B]

The early comparison I’ll make for Kon is DeMar DeRozan with a three point shot. I don’t buy the narrative that he’s smaller than 6’7”. I think he’s exactly the same size as DeMar (maybe shorter arms).

https://www.tankathon.com/players/co...-demar-derozan

Dream draft right now would be Kon and a big with the ATL pick: Fleming, CMB, or Queen

Big and CMB in the same sentence is a rarity

Wolf with an 18, 11 and 6 in 2-4 from 3FG in a dominant win over Purdue. Not too shabby. Up next Queen.

The only problem with Spurs drafting Wolf, what number does Wemby wear?

[Robz4000]

Assuming the Spurs end up 9/10th, what current NBA players would you look to trade it for? I know with their cap situation trades are tricky, but would y'all trade the pick to Minny in a S&T for Naz Reid?

[Mr. Body]

The early comparison I’ll make for Kon is DeMar DeRozan with a three point shot. I don’t buy the narrative that he’s smaller than 6’7”. I think he’s exactly the same size as DeMar (maybe shorter arms).

https://www.tankathon.com/players/co...-demar-derozan

Dream draft right now would be Kon and a big with the ATL pick: Fleming, CMB, or Queen

I don't really see DeMar at all tbh. DDR is much more dynamic and mid-range forward. Kon reminds me of, yes, white dude, Austin Reeves - less playmaking, better defense.

[RC_Drunkford]

We might be able to catch Toronto and get to 7th

[Knoxxx]

The tank is on for the Spurs and all teams near then but we can easily put together a 10 game losing streak after possibly eking out a win tomorrow night. I’ll be there with some family members GO SPURS GO!!! (or Castle at least for 20+)

[exstatic]

We might be able to catch Toronto and get to 7th

That’s a ing tall order. We have 17 games left, they have 15, and the difference in the W/L columns are 3/5.

[RC_Drunkford]

That’s a ing tall order. We have 17 games left, they have 15, and the difference in the W/L columns are 3/5.

we also play them and should lose that game.

[scottspurs]

I’m really starting to warm up to the idea of drafting Derik Queen with the Spurs 1st pick unless they move up to #1 overall. Him and Wemby could be a deadly offensive combination. Jumbo pick and role. Queen can also demand a double team in the post and high post. I believe he could develop a 3-pt shot as well. I’m not as worried about defense because the spurs already have enough of that. Outside of him Dylan Harper and Tre Johnson I both like but they would need high volume to be effective. Otherwise I’m team draft the best shooter. I haven’t made a board yet but Queen will be very high.

[RC_Drunkford]

I’m really starting to warm up to the idea of drafting Derik Queen with the Spurs 1st pick unless they move up to #1 overall. Him and Wemby could be a deadly offensive combination. Jumbo pick and role. Queen can also demand a double team in the post and high post. I believe he could develop a 3-pt shot as well. I’m not as worried about defense because the spurs already have enough of that. Outside of him Dylan Harper and Tre Johnson I both like but they would need high volume to be effective. Otherwise I’m team draft the best shooter. I haven’t made a board yet but Queen will be very high.

I got news for you buddy: We're 25th in defensive rating...

[scottspurs]

Also don’t have a serious head coach. The pieces are there to defend.

[CGD]

Kon is this year’s Castle. The Spurs (if they get high enough) will draft him solely because he plays like a 10 year vet and plays like a winner.

ya, sign me up!

[CGD]

How are we feeling about Asa Newell? I get the duplication with Sochan, but seems to be another heady, big motor type, who plays D and boards. Latter are definitely needs.

Yes, the questions about the shot, but looks like he’s shooting 75% from FT. Maybe workable over the years?

[CGD]

You are overrating him. He's not a top 4. He's listed at 6' 7" but looks smaller and I'll bet his meausurements will be smaller.

That’s the knock him right? He’s a tiny PF. Might as well grab Asa who does similar things but is listed at 6’11”

[Dejounte]

How are we feeling about Asa Newell? I get the duplication with Sochan, but seems to be another heady, big motor type, who plays D and boards. Latter are definitely needs.

Yes, the questions about the shot, but looks like he’s shooting 75% from FT. Maybe workable over the years?

We have had too many losses where we are bombarded by 3’s and the team can’t do anything about it.

You don’t fight 3 points with more players who can only score 2 points or does not playmake for others who can shoot the 3

You don’t defend 3 pointers with more players who aren’t that much better or smarter at defending the 3 than your current group

So whoever we get from this point forward has to meet one of the following:
1) shoot the 3 (Not learn it after several years)
2) defend the 3
3) drive and dish/ set up other 3 pt shooters

obviously newell meets none of those.

secondary need is a big who is physical and strong. Newell is more finesse than power so again, I do not see where the fit is. At best, I could see a Brandon Clarke type career for Newell and that kind of talent isn’t enough.

[rankingtear]

How are we feeling about Asa Newell? I get the duplication with Sochan, but seems to be another heady, big motor type, who plays D and boards. Latter are definitely needs.

Yes, the questions about the shot, but looks like he’s shooting 75% from FT. Maybe workable over the years?

Could be a generic stretch 4 in a few years. Nowhere close to Sochan + shooting upside.