Now that the San Antonio Spurs' 2024–25 season is over, they can focus on the upcoming NBA Draft. The Spurs have a lot riding on this year's draft, with them having two first-round picks to try and improve their roster.
They are currently projected to have the 8th and 15th picks and could use that opportunity to add more shooting and size. Fortunately, they have plenty of potential options, including a projected top-10 prospect that just declared for the NBA Draft.
The perfect prospect for the San Antonio Spurs just declared for the 2025 NBA Draft
Duke guard Kon Kneuppel is expected to be a top-10 pick and could be a perfect fit on the Spurs, given his skill set. After all, he is arguably the best shooter in this year's draft class, having shot a terrific 40.6% on 5.3 3-point attempts per game.
Duke wing Kon Knueppel, a projected top-10 pick, announces his college career is over as he declares for the NBA draft. https://t.co/wb551fBqbZ pic.twitter.com/QCMZtuU6Xu
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 16, 2025
That is in addition to shooting 91.4% from the free throw line. His game is more well-rounded than simply being a spot-up shooter, however. Knueppel has good size at 6-7 and has a burly frame, which helps him on both ends of the floor.
He was often tasked with helping to generate offense, and he proved effective using ball screens to get into the paint. While not especially athletic, he often managed to finish through contact with defenders, unable to knock him off balance, resulting in him shooting a blistering 56.7% on 2-pointers.
Knueppel also played with a massive center in Khaman Maluach and was able to get him easy baskets by tossing lobs in the pick and roll or on closeout drives. That could easily transfer to the NBA with him being able to do the same with Victor Wembanyama.
Duke guard Kon Knueppel would be the perfect fit for the Spurs
Even if he were to primarily play off-ball, which he likely will, his shooting versatility would be a basketball godsend to the Spurs. Currently, they have no one on the roster who is nearly as good a shooter as he is, and they can use Knueppel as a movement shooter and in direct handoffs.
Defensively, that frame helped keep him from getting bullied and was often in the right spots. He managed to force turnovers by simply being active and opportunistic on that end of the floor. Playing alongside two terrific defensive players in Maluach and Flagg, Knueppel posted impressive advanced defensive numbers.
That might overrate him defensively, but it also proves that he can be a capable team defender when paired with good defenders. The Spurs have several with Stephon Castle, Jeremy Sochan, and Wembanyama.
With the top five of the draft likely set, Knueppel seems likely to fall in the 6-10 range. The Spurs are currently expected to pick eighth overall and should be perfectly positioned to select Knueppel.
All told, the Spurs have a lot riding on the 2025 NBA draft, with them needing more shooting and size. Fortunately, the perfect prospect, Kon Knueppel, just declared for the draft and should be their pick come June.