Nothing could’ve prepared the league for Kon Knueppel. The No. 4 overall pick is already making noise with the Charlotte Hornets, shaking up Cooper Flagg’s Rookie of the Year race and even starting to steal some of the spotlight from Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers.
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On the Club 520 podcast, former NBA champ Jeff Teague didn’t hold back: “Kon Knueppel is arguably the best White American Basketball player in the league. I would take him over Austin Reaves. Cooper Flagg is good, but he’s not like this.”
“Kon Knueppel is arguably the best White American Basketball player in the league. I would take him over Austin Reaves. Cooper Flagg is good but he’s not like this.” - Jeff Teague (Via @club520podcast, h/t @NBA__Courtside)
That’s a bold take, but performances like Thursday’s win over the New York Knicks make it easier to see why people are buying in. Knueppel dropped 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting, hit six threes, grabbed 11 rebounds, and added eight assists. He was basically one stat away from a triple-double against a tough defensive team.
And he’s not just having a moment, he’s stacking real numbers. With those six threes, he pushed his season total to 253, leading the league and becoming the youngest player ever to hit 250 in a season. That’s not normal rookie stuff.
Meanwhile, names like Cooper Flagg and Austin Reaves now share the spotlight he’s rapidly owning.
Austin Reaves vs Kon Knueppel: The better choice
Right now, Knueppel is averaging 19.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on super-efficient shooting splits. He’s been durable, consistent, and a big reason Charlotte is in the playoff mix. Four straight Rookie of the Month awards don’t happen by accident either.
Meanwhile, Reaves is doing his thing on a different level of experience. In his fifth season, he’s putting up 23.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds. He even had a 51-point explosion earlier this season, so his ceiling is proven.
Imago
Oct 26, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts after making a three point shot against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
So is Teague right? Kind of. Knueppel has been incredible right now, arguably just as impactful on a nightly basis. However, Reaves brings playoff experience and proven consistency.
Bottom line: Knueppel is rising fast, and he’s making this a real conversation. But Reaves hasn’t lost his spot just yet.