{"id":557440,"date":"2026-01-24T09:31:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T09:31:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/557440\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T09:31:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T09:31:21","slug":"why-hornets-kon-knueppel-has-realistic-chance-to-win-rookie-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/557440\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Hornets\u2019 Kon Knueppel Has Realistic Chance to Win Rookie of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Technically, three more months await to give media voters full clarity on who deserves to win the NBA<\/a>\u2019s Rookie of the Year award. It only took half the season, however, for Charlotte Hornets<\/a> coach Charles Lee to sense definitively on where Kon Knueppel ranks in his class.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Kon is the best one,\u201d Lee said.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

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\u2019 front office executives and scouts, however, wouldn\u2019t be surprised if Knueppel actually wins.<\/p>\n

Most observers predict that Cooper Flagg<\/a> will secure the ROY award after the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> 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<\/a> teammate\u2019s expense. Below are the reasons why.<\/p>\n

\"Charlotte<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)Knueppel Has Been More Consistent Than Flagg<\/p>\n

Flagg may collect the honor because of his dominance as a scorer and defender. Regardless, the Hornets (16-27) enter Wednesday\u2019s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> (24-20) with\u00a0Knueppel as the NBA\u2019s most consistent rookie.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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\u2019 primary ball handler.<\/p>\n

Talent evaluators have downplayed Flagg\u2019s 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\u2019t put Flagg in a position to succeed as their primary playmaker, despite the team\u2019s contention it will help expand his game amid limited point-guard options elsewhere.<\/p>\n

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

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\"Charlotte<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)Knueppel Has Stayed Elite as a Shooter<\/p>\n

Despite the NBA\u2019s deeper 3-point line and increased physicality, Knueppel looks like the same dangerous shooter as when he played last season with Duke.<\/p>\n

Knueppel ranks third in the NBA in total 3s (143) and set an NBA rookie record for most consecutive games with multiple 3s (16).\u00a0 The Hornets also note that Knueppel and Denver Nuggets<\/a> center Nikola\u00a0Joki\u0107 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.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\u201cHe tries to get a good shot every time. He doesn\u2019t force anything,\u201d Hornets forward Miles Bridges said of Knueppel. \u201cThat\u2019s why his percentages are so high. Plus, he can shoot the blood out of the ball. That makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s stayed within himself early on. He didn\u2019t try to do too much,\u201d Lee said. \u201cHe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\"Charlotte<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

(Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images)Knueppel Has Become an Effective Two-Way Player<\/p>\n

Knueppel is a likely participant in the NBA\u2019s 3-point contest during All-Star weekend (Feb. 13-15). Don\u2019t mistake Knueppel as just a shooting specialist, though. He has impressed the Hornets and other NBA talent evaluators with his complete game.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s just a really good all-around player,\u201d Lee said. \u201cHe\u2019s just unselfish. The thing that I just love about him is that he wants to impact every possession that he\u2019s a part of however he can. It\u2019s not all about him trying to score. It\u2019s about how he can help his team get closer and closer to be more successful and lead us to victories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

No one will mistake Knueppel as a young Magic Johnson. He doesn\u2019t assume most of the Hornets\u2019 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019 tendencies and by virtue of his disciplined fundamentals. That has helped Knueppel thrive in\u00a0certain matchups<\/a>\u00a0against Toronto\u2019s Brandon Ingram (2-for-8), Miami\u2019s Norman Powell (4-for-11) and Cleveland\u2019s Donovan Mitchell<\/a> (4-for-10). Knueppel had his hands full against the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> star Luka\u00a0Don\u010di\u0107 (9-for-18), but he still relishes the challenge.<\/p>\n

Said Lee: \u201cHe\u2019s not afraid to get in there and mix it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Kon Knueppel 2025-26 Stats<\/p>\n

PPG<\/p>\n

RPG<\/p>\n

APG<\/p>\n

FG%<\/p>\n

3-pt FG%<\/p>\n

19.0<\/p>\n

5.3<\/p>\n

3.5<\/p>\n

.488<\/p>\n

.435<\/p>\n

The Hornets Are Improving<\/p>\n

Historically, voters have granted the NBA\u2019s Rookie of the Award both to prospects on playoff-contending and rebuilding teams. So don\u2019t disqualify\u00a0Knueppel\u2019s candidacy simply because of Charlotte\u2019s record. Still, the Hornets are within striking distance of qualifying for the NBA\u2019s play-in tournament after winning five of their past nine games.<\/p>\n

Despite expectations that Flagg will improve, the Mavericks could plummet in the standings amid injury concerns to Kyrie Irving<\/a> and Anthony Davis<\/a>. The Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> 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\u2019s, considering the Sixers primarily revolve around Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid<\/a> and Paul George. Plus, the Sixers could fall in the standings should Embiid and George experience more injuries.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

The Rookie of the Year race will likely center mostly on the players\u2019 performances. Nonetheless, The Hornets\u2019 record should not play as much of a negative factor against\u00a0Knueppel\u2019s candidacy as one might think.<\/p>\n

Mark Medina is an NBA contributor for Athlon Sports. Follow him on\u00a0X<\/a>,\u00a0Blue Sky<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Threads<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related: How Cooper Flagg Is Already Developing Into a Legitimate Superstar<\/a><\/p>\n

Related: How Dylan Harper Is Contributing to Spurs’ Resurgence<\/a><\/p>\n

Related: Why Giannis Antetokounmpo Seems Content with Bucks … at Least for Now<\/a><\/p>\n

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