Detroit Pistons Projected to Select Duke Guard Kon Knueppel in 2025 NBA Draft: A Franchise-Defining Decision?
Introduction: A Franchise at the Crossroads
The Detroit Pistons enter the 2025 NBA Draft at a critical juncture. After several rebuilding years and enduring one of the longest playoff droughts in franchise history, the team is in urgent need of stability, shooting, and complementary playmakers to build around their young nucleus. With Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren forming the foundational pieces, the Pistons now face the task of adding the right type of player who can accelerate their path back to contention.
According to numerous mock drafts and NBA insiders, the Pistons are heavily eyeing Duke guard Kon Knueppel, a 6-foot-6 freshman who has garnered national attention with his polished offensive game, elite shooting, and high basketball IQ. As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, Knueppel is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing fits for Detroit, a franchise desperate for perimeter shooting and unselfish team basketball.
This article will explore who Kon Knueppel is, why he fits Detroit’s rebuilding timeline, the Pistons’ draft strategy, competing prospects, and what his potential selection could mean for the future of the franchise.
Who Is Kon Knueppel? The Rise of a Duke Star
Kon Knueppel entered Duke as a five-star recruit with a reputation as one of the most complete offensive guards in the 2024 high school class. Hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Knueppel quickly transitioned into a key contributor at Duke under head coach Jon Scheyer, earning praise for his maturity, court vision, and scoring prowess.
In his freshman season, Knueppel averaged:
- 14.2 points per game
- 4.8 rebounds
- 3.2 assists
- 1.1 steals
- 41.7% shooting from three-point range
More than the numbers, what makes Knueppel special is how efficiently he plays. He rarely forces shots, moves extremely well off the ball, and excels in catch-and-shoot situations. He’s also shown the ability to run secondary pick-and-rolls, creating plays for teammates and maintaining offensive flow. Analysts often compare his style to that of Kevin Huerter or Luke Kennard with higher upside.
Knueppel’s ability to shoot from deep, handle the ball, and make smart reads makes him one of the most NBA-ready guards in the 2025 draft. What he lacks in elite athleticism, he makes up for with elite fundamentals, feel for the game, and leadership.
Why the Pistons Need Him: A Fit That Makes Sense
1. Shooting
Detroit was among the worst three-point shooting teams in the NBA last season, ranking near the bottom in three-point percentage and total threes made. This lack of floor spacing severely restricted the driving lanes for Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
Knueppel could immediately address that. His 41.7% clip from beyond the arc is no fluke—his shooting mechanics are elite, and he has a quick, repeatable release. His off-ball movement also ensures that he won’t just stand in the corner waiting for a pass. He constantly relocates to find open looks, something Detroit has sorely lacked.
2. High IQ and Ball Movement
With Cunningham as the primary ball-handler and Ivey providing athletic explosiveness, the Pistons still need players who can keep the ball moving and make quick decisions. Knueppel excels at this. He’s unselfish, knows when to pass up a good shot for a great one, and is often referred to as a “connector”—a player who keeps the offense flowing.
In an NBA landscape that values positional versatility and team-oriented offense, Knueppel’s instincts would be a welcome addition.
3. Positional Size and Versatility
At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Knueppel has NBA-ready size. He’s big enough to guard most shooting guards and even small forwards in some lineups. While he’s not a lockdown defender or a top-tier athlete, he’s rarely out of position and doesn’t make mental mistakes. On a team that struggles with defensive rotations and transition defense, his understanding of schemes and effort can bring stability.
The Pistons’ Draft Strategy: Building Around the Core
Troy Weaver, the Pistons’ general manager, has had a mixed track record in the draft. While the selections of Cunningham, Ivey, and Duren have provided foundational talent, others—such as Killian Hayes and Marvin Bagley (via trade)—have not panned out as hoped. With the 2025 draft seen as less top-heavy than previous years, selecting the right role player or secondary star becomes even more critical.
Weaver has publicly stated that the Pistons are now in the “competitive” phase of the rebuild, meaning they’re no longer looking just for raw upside, but for polished, NBA-ready contributors.
That’s where Knueppel shines.
In fact, many scouts and front office executives consider him one of the safest picks in the top 10—low bust potential, solid production, and a plug-and-play ability that could mesh well with Detroit’s existing core.
Mock Drafts and Rumors: Will He Be Available?
Multiple reputable mock drafts—including from Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, and ESPN—have linked Knueppel to the Pistons, typically selecting in the 5–8 range. However, there’s no guarantee he falls to them.
The Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, and Portland Trail Blazers are also rumored to be interested in Knueppel, with the Hornets especially intrigued by pairing him with LaMelo Ball.
Some insiders even speculate that if Knueppel impresses in private workouts, he could move into the top five, making it difficult for Detroit to grab him unless they move up in the draft order.
This puts pressure on Detroit’s front office to weigh whether Knueppel is worth trading up for or whether they should consider other options if he’s off the board.
Alternative Prospects: Who Else Is in the Mix?
If Knueppel is taken before Detroit’s pick, several other guards and wings could be considered:
1. V.J. Edgecombe – Baylor
A dynamic scorer and electric athlete, Edgecombe brings more burst and transition offense than Knueppel but is less polished as a shooter and decision-maker.
2. Tre Johnson – Texas
One of the top scorers in college basketball, Johnson is a three-level scorer but has defensive question marks. He’d provide more shot creation but might not mesh as well off-ball next to Cunningham.
3. Matas Buzelis – G League Ignite
A 6-foot-9 forward with intriguing length and ball-handling skills, Buzelis is a versatile option if the Pistons opt for size and upside over shooting.
What Knueppel’s Selection Could Mean for Detroit’s Future
If the Pistons do select Knueppel, it could represent a philosophical shift in how they build their team. Rather than swinging for high-risk, high-reward players, they would be signaling a commitment to adding proven, intelligent players who make others better.
With Cunningham as the offensive engine, Ivey as the slasher, and Duren anchoring the paint, Knueppel could be the glue that ties it all together—a sharpshooter who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, yet is capable of stepping up when needed.
He could start as a sixth man or rotational shooter and eventually move into a starting role. Long term, he projects as a high-level role player—perhaps even a borderline All-Star if he continues to develop his handle and defense.
The Smart Choice for a Team That Needs It
In a league dominated by spacing, versatility, and intelligent basketball, Kon Knueppel checks nearly every box. The Pistons have struggled mightily with spacing and decision-making, often clogging the paint and over-relying on isolation plays.
Adding Knueppel wouldn’t solve all of their problems overnight—but it would be a significant step toward modernizing their offense and building a more cohesive unit.
More importantly, it would signal to fans and the league that the Pistons are finally serious about constructing a balanced roster around their star guard Cade Cunningham. The future in Detroit has been dim for far too long, but with a smart draft night and the right pieces falling into place, the Motor City might just be on the verge of a revival.
