Why Hornets’ Kon Knueppel Has Realistic Chance to Win Rookie of the Year

Technically, three more months await to give media voters full clarity on who deserves to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. It only took half the season, however, for Charlotte Hornets coach Charles Lee to sense definitively on where Kon Knueppel ranks in his class.

“I think Kon is the best one,” Lee said.

Obviously, Lee represents a partisan voice for the player that the Hornets selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Some other teams’ front office executives and scouts, however, wouldn’t be surprised if Knueppel actually wins.

Most observers predict that Cooper Flagg will secure the ROY award after the Dallas Mavericks drafted him at No. 1. Barring any major injuries through the rest of the season, however, Knueppel has a legitimate case to win at his former Duke teammate’s expense. Below are the reasons why.

Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel dribbles the ball upcourt as Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic trails the play at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 15, 2026.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)Knueppel Has Been More Consistent Than Flagg

Flagg may collect the honor because of his dominance as a scorer and defender. Regardless, the Hornets (16-27) enter Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers (24-20) with Knueppel as the NBA’s most consistent rookie.

Knueppel leads his rookie class in points per game (19.0) and 3-point shooting (43.5%) among those who have appeared in the majority of their team’s games. Flagg ranks second in scoring (18.8), while faring fourth in assists (4.1). Yet, Flagg has shot 28.6% from 3 and faced a learning curve with becoming the Mavericks’ primary ball handler.

Talent evaluators have downplayed Flagg’s initial hiccups. They note Flagg still impacts the game with his scoring and defense. They believe he will improve as a shooter. Most argue that the Mavericks didn’t put Flagg in a position to succeed as their primary playmaker, despite the team’s contention it will help expand his game amid limited point-guard options elsewhere.

Nonetheless, Knueppel has remained steady throughout his rookie season. No wonder Knueppel collected consecutive NBA Rookie of the Month honors in November and December.

Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome on Jan. 12, 2026.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)Knueppel Has Stayed Elite as a Shooter

Despite the NBA’s deeper 3-point line and increased physicality, Knueppel looks like the same dangerous shooter as when he played last season with Duke.

Knueppel ranks third in the NBA in total 3s (143) and set an NBA rookie record for most consecutive games with multiple 3s (16). The Hornets also note that Knueppel and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić are the lone NBA players this season to average at least 15 points and five rebounds per game while also shooting at least 42% from deep.

“He tries to get a good shot every time. He doesn’t force anything,” Hornets forward Miles Bridges said of Knueppel. “That’s why his percentages are so high. Plus, he can shoot the blood out of the ball. That makes a difference.”

It also makes a difference that Knueppel plays with other two proven shooters (LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller). That gives Knueppel some open looks. The Hornets also like how Knueppel creates open shots for himself with sharp screening, cutting and spacing.

“He’s stayed within himself early on. He didn’t try to do too much,” Lee said. “He understood that he could play off of what was going on with Brandon and Melo and all of the gravity that they attract, take advantage of it and knock down some shots.”

Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel battles Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren for a rebound at Paycom Center on Jan. 5, 2026.Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

(Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images)Knueppel Has Become an Effective Two-Way Player

Knueppel is a likely participant in the NBA’s 3-point contest during All-Star weekend (Feb. 13-15). Don’t mistake Knueppel as just a shooting specialist, though. He has impressed the Hornets and other NBA talent evaluators with his complete game.

“He’s just a really good all-around player,” Lee said. “He’s just unselfish. The thing that I just love about him is that he wants to impact every possession that he’s a part of however he can. It’s not all about him trying to score. It’s about how he can help his team get closer and closer to be more successful and lead us to victories.”

No one will mistake Knueppel as a young Magic Johnson. He doesn’t assume most of the Hornets’ playmaking duties. He ranks fifth in his rookie class in assists per game (3.5). But Knueppel often makes the extra pass instead of taking a contested shot. When he doesn’t have the ball, Knueppel stays active with his cutting and screen-setting in hopes of setting up an open shot for himself or a teammate.

No one will mistake Knueppel as a defensive specialist, either. Despite his limited athleticism, however, Knueppel has excelled defensively because of his strength, by studying opposing players’ tendencies and by virtue of his disciplined fundamentals. That has helped Knueppel thrive in certain matchups against Toronto’s Brandon Ingram (2-for-8), Miami’s Norman Powell (4-for-11) and Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell (4-for-10). Knueppel had his hands full against the Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić (9-for-18), but he still relishes the challenge.

Said Lee: “He’s not afraid to get in there and mix it up.”

Kon Knueppel 2025-26 Stats

PPG

RPG

APG

FG%

3-pt FG%

19.0

5.3

3.5

.488

.435

The Hornets Are Improving

Historically, voters have granted the NBA’s Rookie of the Award both to prospects on playoff-contending and rebuilding teams. So don’t disqualify Knueppel’s candidacy simply because of Charlotte’s record. Still, the Hornets are within striking distance of qualifying for the NBA’s play-in tournament after winning five of their past nine games.

Despite expectations that Flagg will improve, the Mavericks could plummet in the standings amid injury concerns to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. The Philadelphia 76ers are in fifth place in the East, which could give an edge to guard VJ Edgecombe. But his numbers (15.8 points on 42.9%) are less productive than Knueppel’s, considering the Sixers primarily revolve around Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George. Plus, the Sixers could fall in the standings should Embiid and George experience more injuries.

The Rookie of the Year race will likely center mostly on the players’ performances. Nonetheless, The Hornets’ record should not play as much of a negative factor against Knueppel’s candidacy as one might think.

Mark Medina is an NBA contributor for Athlon Sports. Follow him on X, Blue Sky, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Why Hornets’ Kon Knueppel Has Realistic Chance to Win Rookie of the Year

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