Feb 5, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) and guard Kon Knueppel (7) meet prior to the game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Utah Jazz May Target Cooper Flagg's Duke Teammate

Originally posted on Utah Jazz on SI | By Sean Ackerman | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 6:00 PM ET

Despite finishing with only 17 wins, which was the lowest in the NBA, the Jazz still fell short of the first overall pick. The league changed the lottery system in 2019, and ever since then, the worst regular season team has failed to win the lottery.

Regardless, the Jazz hold a top-5 pick and an opportunity to bring in elite talent to a roster that desperately needs it. Utah was banking on winning the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes all season, but they may have to fixate on one of Flagg's teammates instead.

A new report from NBA draft analyst Krysten Peek for Hoops HQ suggests the Jazz, along with the Charlotte Hornets, are interested in Kon Knueppel with their first-round pick.

"Teams like the Utah Jazz (No. 5) and Charlotte Hornets (No. 4) are showing interest in the versatile guard (Kon Knueppel) and like his ability to seamlessly slide in alongside a star, ball-dominant player like Cooper Flagg and still find ways to positively impact the game," Peek wrote.

"Teams like the Utah Jazz (No. 5) and Charlotte Hornets (No. 4) are showing interest in the versatile guard (Kon Knueppel) and like his ability to seamlessly slide in alongside a star, ball-dominant player like Cooper Flagg and still find ways to positively impact the game." https://t.co/EidQ9eC5Rc pic.twitter.com/uVKCv92P7O
— r/CharlotteHornets on Reddit (@HornetsReddit) June 3, 2025

Knueppel was a sharpshooter at Duke and connected on 40.6% of his tries from three-point land in his freshman season. In 39 games started, Knueppel averaged 14.4 points, four rebounds, 2.7 assists, and one steal.

Standing at 6-foot-7, Knueppel has the height to translate to the professional level as a shooting guard. He showed out in the biggest moments and averaged an insane 55.6% from three in the NCAA tournament in March.

The idea that Kon Knueppel can't create with the ball is an illusion.

Knueppel isn't flashy. He doesn't waste dribbles and uses his footwork and strength to carve out angles to the rim.

The handle is solid and the threat of his shooting forces defenses to close hard. pic.twitter.com/vCA6U4vreq
— Latif Love (@realLatifLove) May 16, 2025

As of now, the Jazz are employing Collin Sexton as the go-to shooting guard. If they want to bring in a better shooter, Knueppel could be the answer if the Hornets pass on him.

As Peek mentioned in her report, the Jazz are interested in how Knueppel played alongside a star player in Flagg. If the Jazz want to complement Lauri Markkanen with another offensive threat, Knueppel would 100% be the guy for the job.

Markkanen has been involved in plenty of trade rumors over the past few years, but he signed a long-term deal to stay in Utah last summer. Drafting Knueppel might convince Markkanen that the team is headed in the right direction and keep him planted in Salt Lake City for a few more years.