The New Orleans Pelicans may have found their ideal draft pick. With the 2025 NBA Draft approaching and the No. 7 pick in hand, they’ve got a big decision to make. Instead of chasing a flashy prospect with boom-or-bust potential, the latest PFSN NBA Mock Draft suggests the Pelicans will opt for something more stable.
They could go for a steady and efficient two-way talent who might be exactly what this injury-hit roster needs right now.
Kon Knueppel Could Be the Right Fit for Pelicans
According to Bjorn Bergstrom’s latest NBA Mock Draft, the Pelicans are projected to select Kon Knueppel, a 6’7” wing out of Duke University, with the seventh overall pick.
Bergstrom explained why Knueppel could be the perfect fit for the Pelicans:
“The New Orleans Pelicans have an interesting decision to make here: Do they go with a player who has the highest ceiling or a player who will be a sure-fire contributor and has the makings of a guy who will be in the league for over a decade?
“I propose that they go with the latter due to the state of their roster. New Orleans claimed the seventh-overall pick was not the plan when the season began, as they have several All-Star caliber players on their roster who all suffered injuries.
“With that being said, they don’t need to go shooting for the stars with this pick. Duke’s Kon Knueppel is right there for them, and they’ll take him.”
Bergstrom emphasized that the Pelicans don’t have the luxury of gambling with this pick which is right. Injuries to Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and others derailed their season, pushing them into the lottery despite having top-end talent. What they need now is stability, and Knueppel brings that.
Kon Knueppel with the hustle AND the finish! 🔥💪
Dives for the ball, gets up, and drains the 3 🥲 pic.twitter.com/rqr62gBXyv
— Duke Central (@duke_central) June 2, 2025
As a freshman, he averaged 14.4 points, four rebounds, and 2.7 assists, shooting 40.6% from 3-point range. Early on, he played more like a spot-up shooter, but by the end of the season, he was creating offense for himself and others. He developed into a patient shot creator, especially in the mid-range and around the paint, using impressive footwork to find clean looks.
Knuppel is not a speedster defensively, which could raise some concerns. But he plays smart, rarely fouls, and knows how to use angles. His high basketball IQ and calm demeanor under pressure stood out during the ACC Tournament, where he averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, leading Duke without Cooper Flagg and earning Tournament MVP honors.
How Knueppel Could Help Pelicans Right Away
New Orleans needs help on both ends of the floor. In the 2024-25 regular season, they had a defensive rating of 119.9, among the worst in the league. Offensively, they weren’t much better, ranking 27th with a rating of 109.7. Knueppel may not be a superstar, but his efficient shooting and decision-making could provide a much-needed boost on both ends.
On offense, he can stretch the floor and take pressure off Williamson, McCollum, and Trey Murphy III. With defenders focused on Zion’s explosive drives, Kon’s shooting will punish teams that sag off. His ability to keep the ball moving and stay composed in tight spots will also help McCollum operate more effectively off-ball. Meanwhile, Murphy – already an elite shooter, could benefit from playing alongside a wing who reads the floor well and can pass on the move.
On defense, Knueppel might not lock down elite guards, but he holds his own. He moves his feet well enough, uses smart positioning, and brings a level of discipline this young Pelicans roster has sometimes lacked.
He’s also the kind of player that raises a team’s floor. Maybe he won’t go viral for a highlight dunk, but he’ll make the right play and keep the team steady when things get messy.
