Projected lottery pick proving he's perfect Spurs pick in ACC tournament

The 2025 NBA Draft is going to be filled with a ton of talented prospects. San Antonio is poised to receive a top-ten draft pick with their selection, and although the Atlanta pick is trending outside of the top-15, there should still be a talented player like Rasheer Fleming, for example, for them to pick up there. It's a deep class, and the roster will improve significantly from adding the right players.

Fortunately, there are several prospects who would fall into the category of "the right players." While Cooper Flagg is undoubtedly the supreme prize this summer, only one team will have the pleasure of adding him to its roster. So, taking him out of the picture, Duke's Kon Knueppel is the latest player to make a case for the Spurs' perfect lottery pick.

Kon Knueppel has the offensive skill set the Spurs need

San Antonio is in desperate need of reliable shooting, and these days, that player also needs to be able to put the ball on the floor and make smart plays. Knueppel is exactly that kind of baller. The 6'7" freshman is shooting 40% from deep this season and projects to be the best shooter in his draft class. His smooth shooting form will allow his shot to translate to the professional level immediately.

But he's not just a spot-up guy. The versatile guard plays with toughness, getting downhill and making plays for himself and his teammates. His play during the ACC Tournament thus far shows he's capable of rising to the challenge when his team needs him. The Blue Devils need that more than ever right now due to Cooper Flagg's ankle sprain.

The number one projected pick rolled his ankle in the quarterfinals against Georgia Tech, limiting him to 15 minutes in a crucial contest. He wasn't having his best game either, but Duke won the game anyway because Knueppel went off for 28 points, eight assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block. He didn't shoot well from deep (2/6), but he went 12/13 from the free-throw line.

The next game was the ACC Tournament Semifinals against their storied rival, the North Carolina Tar Heels. Flagg was set to miss the game, and the Tar Heels needed to win the game to seal the deal for an NCAA Tournament bid. They were denied that opportunity, and once again, Knueppel led the way for the Blue Devils.

The sharpshooter went 3/5 from downtown and led his team in scoring with 17 points. He knocked down the free throws with seconds remaining to ice the game, taking North Carolina's fate out of their hands. Kon added four rebounds, three assists, and a steal to his stat sheet, and Duke will roll into the ACC Tournament Finals against Louisville.

The freshman from Milwaukee has another key qualification, making him suited for a spot on the Spurs' roster. He plays with a 7'2" center named Khaman Maluach, and he's thrown him plenty of alley-oops. That's an underrated skill on any other team, but with a 7'3" (or 7'4") alien on the roster, it's necessary in San Antonio.