It has been a difficult seven-year stretch for the Washington Wizards and their fan base. The organization has managed just 33 wins over the last two seasons, the lowest combined total of any franchise. Washington has not finished with a .500 or better win-loss percent since 2019 and has made the playoffs just once over that stretch.
After a dismal 18-win season, the Wizards were one of the three organizations with the highest odds of landing the top pick in the draft. A top-three pick would’ve been ideal for a lineup that is in desperate need of reinforcements, but unfortunately for Washington, they dropped down to the No. 6 spot.
Although the Wizard missed out on a top-five selection, there is plenty of value in the 2025 draft class.
PFSN Predicts Wizards Will Select Duke’s Kon Knueppel
One thing is for sure: the Wizards cannot afford to miss with their pick as they continue a long and drawn-out rebuild. Washington is set to go into the 2025-26 campaign with one of the youngest rosters in the league, and the front office will need to see some improvement after a disappointing year.
In PFSN’s latest mock draft by Brandon Austin, the Wizards are projected to select former Duke star Kon Knueppel. The talented wing worked his way into the top 10 conversations after an eye-catching freshman season with the Blue Devils.
“The Washington Wizards are in dire need of a franchise-changing talent, so falling to No. 6 overall in the draft is devastating. But the front office doesn’t have time to throw a pity party. In Kon Knueppel, they can land a high-floor wing who brings elite shooting, toughness, and a polished offensive skill set that complements their young core,” wrote Austin.
At 6’7″ and 217 pounds, there are some concerns about Knueppel’s build and how he will cope with other forwards in the league.
Offensively, however, there is no doubting about Knueppel’s abilities. The Wisconsin native is an exceptional shooter, capable of putting up big numbers on any given night. He shot 47.9% from the field and an incredible 40.6% from behind the arc. Add to that his 91.4% from the free throw line, and it is clear that Knueppel comes into the 2025 draft as one of the top shooting prospects.
Knueppel was a key piece in coach Jon Scheyer’s Duke team that progressed all the way to the Final Four stage of the NCAA tournament. Projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg led the roster in almost every major category, but Knueppel wasn’t far behind, ranking second in the lineup in points (14.4) and third in assists (2.7) and steals (1.0).
Austin believes that Knueppel’s physical toughness and positioning could also be a vital asset for a young Washington team.
The Wizards averaged just 108.0 ppg last season, the fourth fewest in the NBA. Knueppel is a sharpshooter who is capable to spreading the court and keeping defenders honest. The 19-year-old could be an ideal fit for a Wizards team that is planning for the future.
Read more: Try out PFSN’s 2025 NBA mock draft simulator here.
Do you even follow the wizards? There was nothing disappointing about the season, it went as planned, the young talent developed real well