NBA '25-'26 Rookie Class (non Spurs)

i notice how they are avoiding the salaun question
 
Wright was probably ready to trade up to get him with those two picks we had, tbh.
It's just that we got lucky and Harper is a tier above, but Knueppel is just the wing we need.

50/124 from 3pt so far, 40% on 8.26 attempts.
 
This was my draft tier list back in July

Tier 1 - franchise - max three players

Cooper Flagg
Dylan Harper

Tier 2 - running mates - max four players

Jase Richardson
Derik Queen
Kon Knueppel
VJ Edgecombe

Tier 3 - long-term role players - max 10 players

Thomas Sorber
Drake Powell
Kasparas Jakucionis
Tre Johnson
Cedric Coward
Malauch
Noah Penda
Carter Bryant
Ben Saraf
Demin

Looking good, I’d say. They need to play my boy Jase more
 
Queen is looking very good. 30 piece on Jokic.

He would have been a very good fit next to Sarr in Washington.
 
My draftables were:
Flagg, Harper, Bailey, VJ, Drake Powell... Had no interest in any other, despite many being projected to be very productive.
 
Yesterday on reddit I saw one person refer to him as King Kon, and another call him "that Nipple guy."
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1992088147635892449

Chris Webber-esque

I’m one of his early fans pre-draft. This dude got a lot of flak for being fat and the perception that his defense would make him unplayable in the NBA. I always said his offense was special. I think there is still only a few of us believers even now. Soon that will change though - when he keeps pumping out good games like this one.
 
OK Computer said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1992088147635892449

Chris Webber-esque

I’m one of his early fans pre-draft. This dude got a lot of flak for being fat and the perception that his defense would make him unplayable in the NBA. I always said his offense was special. I think there is still only a few of us believers even now. Soon that will change though - when he keeps pumping out good games like this one.
Click to expand...
Do you think Spurs would've picked him if he was available and there was no trade down offer?
 
LeBowen said:
Do you think Spurs would've picked him if he was available and there was no trade down offer?
Click to expand...
We already have a significant precedent that suggests they wouldn't have: Sengun. Queen has a lot of the same strengths (supremely talented on offense, great footwork, soft hands, great ballhandler and passer, very smart) but though he shares weaknesses, they're even more pronounced (worse on defense, older at the time of the draft, poor conditioning that wasn't a concern with Sengun, etc). Furthermore, Spurs were in desperate need of talent in 2021, whereas now they have their top guys in place and just need better fitting pieces to complement them. I'm pretty confident Spurs would have passed on Queen.
 
Last edited:
Queen is probably going to make Williamson expendable sooner than later, to the point where they might just accept an underwhelming return even relative to his diminished value in recent years.

Two high usage, undersized bigs, who can't space the floor and are minus defensively can't really coexist on one team.
 
I just checked the rookie stats and saw Kon is averaging 20-6-3 on 50-40-90 that’s ridiculous. I knew he was killing it but that’s insane production for a rookie 2 months into his career. Bro is already near prime Klay Thompson with a dribble/passing game.

Flagg is going to be a multi time all star imo, but I think Harper and Kon could easily be the two best players in the class.
 
STAT88 said:
I just checked the rookie stats and saw Kon is averaging 20-6-3 on 50-40-90 that’s ridiculous. I knew he was killing it but that’s insane production for a rookie 2 months into his career. Bro is already near prime Klay Thompson with a dribble/passing game.

Flagg is going to be a multi time all star imo, but I think Harper and Kon could easily be the two best players in the class.
Click to expand...
Flagg has age going for him, but the expectations of him being a tier above the rest of his class were clearly exaggerated. Knueppel has been better than him; i don't think anyone can dispute that..
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1993495310686159344

For all those who get hypnotized by tall 1 dimensional shooting forwards, looks like I was right again.

People were relentless in their debates with me about this guy.

They argued with my idea that Reed Sheppard & Kon would be good too, and some more I can’t remember…

IQ + Skill + Feel for the game > Physical profile or athleticism
 
Edgecombe is dropping like a rock in the rookie ratings-- he's at #5 now, and considered a longshot in the ROY race. Happens every year, the overreactions after 8 or 10 games.
 
I feel like one reason Mavs fans are never getting over the Doncic trade even after Nico got fired is that sinking feeling--you can detect it in their X/Reddit posts-- that Cooper Flagg is just not as great as advertised and that he will likely never be as good as Luka. It is difficult to accept a consolation prize when you just had the big shiny one taken away from you in such manner.

Also,I really hope media and draftniks stop using the word "Generational"; it is simply unfair and puts undue expectations on otherwise elite prospects who are going to be future stars in the league like Flagg.. He is going to be really good, but maybe a shade below the tier of transcendental superstars.
 
Last edited:
OK Computer said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1993495310686159344

For all those who get hypnotized by tall 1 dimensional shooting forwards, looks like I was right again.

People were relentless in their debates with me about this guy.

They argued with my idea that Reed Sheppard & Kon would be good too, and some more I can’t remember…

IQ + Skill + Feel for the game > Physical profile or athleticism
Click to expand...

Risacher wasn't great in French league. There was a lot of squinting and hoping to see his best self, but even that was a play finisher. His length is good for their team defense, but he wasn't ever a great shooter other than a relatively short period, and didn't do anything else. He's regressed a bit this year, although it's early. I never saw a high ceiling for him.

Sarr looks better than I thought so far.
 
spursparker9 said:
Wow....lol the american Jokic.

Possibly the best passing big man after Jokic and Sengun
Click to expand...
in fairness, it is easier to be a great passer at the position when you're 2 inches smaller than most of your opposition
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

scott
Analysis GRADES: Warriors @ Spurs 11/12/2025
Replies
11
Views
313
Area 51.247
A
scott
Analysis GAME GRADES: 11/7/2025 | SPURS 121 - ROCKETS 110
Replies
3
Views
240
xellos88330
xellos88330
Back
Top