As the 2025-26 NBA season unfolds, one thing is clear: Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel are providing the most entertaining and unique Rookie of the Year race in memory.
Former roommates and teammates at Duke,
both Flagg and Knueppel are redefining their respective teams.
For Dallas, Flagg is providing a new vision of what is possible after the controversial Luka Doncic trade. He’s playing all over the court, running beautifully, working now as sort of second point, not really a center but doing some big man things too.
His versatility is just surreal, as you’ll see in this video. Among other things, watch for the impressive block and for several really fast decisions on passes. It’s pretty remarkable.
Someone asked Flagg last season what he would take to a desert island and he said, a gun…some food…and Kon Knueppel.
After what Knueppel has done so far, it’s hard to argue with his list.
Check this video out for proof of this contention: the Hornets are beginning to reshape themselves around a 20-year-0ld rookie. He lit up Chicago for 33 points, including 5 threes, 9 assists and 5 rebounds and, like Flagg, is making passes without hesitation. For instance, look for the pass to Sion James: as soon as Knueppel gets the ball, he whips it immediately over to James.
Not to get carried away here, because Knueppel is not Larry Bird, but that pass was one that Bird would have made. There was no hesitation whatsoever.
The Hornets are becoming an unselfish team with Knueppel emerging as the new tent pole for the big top. Flagg of course was supposed to be at this level, but Knueppel? It’s dazzling.
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