Ex-NBA Champ Crowns Kon Knueppel as Early ROY Favorite Over Cooper Flagg, Ranking Him Above Hornets’ $49.3M Forward

Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel has captured the attention of the media since the start of the 2025-26 NBA season. As a first-year player, the Hornets forward has produced like a veteran. The 6-foot-6 player has appeared in 15 games, averaging 18.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and three assists.

In the recent Rookie Ladder, Knueppel has taken over the top spot and is now the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year. Before the start of the season, Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg was the favorite to win the award. But the momentum has shifted since the Hornets' youngster has performed better.

Former NBA star Jeff Teague even chose Kneuppel over Flagg to win the rookie award. Teague spoke highly of the first-year player on Thursday's episode of "Club 520 Podcast."

“Rookie of the Year, bro,” Teague said repeatedly (Timestamp: 2:25).

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Teague even said that Knueppel is a better player than Brandon Miller. The third-year guard, who's on a four-year, $49.38 million rookie contract, has only played in two games for the Hornets this season. In his two-game appearance, Miller has averaged 14.5 points and four assists.

“That was a great pick by Charlotte… He better than Brandon Miller, no shade. “The reason I say this is he’s so efficient.”

Kon Knueppel has outplayed experienced players early in the season. This is what made him a favorite to take over this season among all rookies.

Even Milwaukee Bucks big man Bobby Portis shares the same opinion as Teague. According to Portis, Knueppel wows people on the court. He spoke about the Hornets forward on Tuesday's episode of FanDuel TV's "Run It Back."

"It's kinda easy to always say Cooper Flagg, right, but in my opinion ... (it's) Kon Knueppel ... he wows you on the court. ... You probably wouldn't even think he that he (plays basketball) if you didn't know that he plays for the Hornets," the one-time champion said.

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Miles Bridges says Kon Knueppel has no player comparison

Kon Knueppel has stepped up for the Hornets this year. Although the team has struggled to win consistently, he's been productive everywhere on the floor for Charlotte.

After the team's 127-118 loss against the Indiana Pacers, Miles Bridges was asked about his thoughts on Knueppel's recent play.

“He’s great, man. He’s great,” Bridges said. “I don’t even know his player comparison, but he’s been great for us all year. He’s gonna continue to be great cuz he’s coachable, he knows the game well, he shoots the ball very well, and he can drive. So, he’s an all-around player.”

Against the Pacers, Kon Knueppel led the Hornets with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on 55% shooting. Charlotte expects him to have the same level of production on Saturday against the LA Clippers.

Edited by Reign Amurao