The 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year race was supposed to be a landslide. For months, the mainstream media essentially crowned Dallas Mavericks phenom Cooper Flagg as the undisputed winner. But as we head into the final stretch of the season, former NBA champion and All-Star Jeff Teague is completely flipping the script.
Speaking on his popular Club 520 Podcast, Teague officially cast his vote for the rookie who is actually impacting winning basketball right now: Charlotte Hornets sharpshooter Kon Knueppel.
“They Actually Winning Games, He Averaging 20 Points”
Teague did not mince words when breaking down why Knueppel deserves the prestigious award over his former Duke teammate. While Flagg is putting up heavy volume numbers for a Dallas team that is completely out of the playoff picture, Knueppel is doing the unthinkable for a Charlotte squad actively fighting for postseason positioning.
“I think Cooper Flagg’s having a good rookie year, a phenomenal rookie year actually, but it comes with a lot of opportunity,” Teague explained. “The reason I think Kon Knueppel’s year is better is because he’s with some gunners, and he’s not supposed to be doing what he’s doing.”
Teague’s core argument boils down to two undeniable facts: Knueppel is hovering right around an elite 20 points per game, and more importantly, his production is directly translating to actual wins.
The Numbers Back Up the Hype 📊
If you think Teague is just throwing out a hot take for views, a quick look at the stat sheet proves he is absolutely spot on. Knueppel isn’t just scoring; he is having one of the most efficient offensive seasons by a rookie in the history of the sport.
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Historic Efficiency: He is currently putting up over 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per night.
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The 50/40/90 Watch: He is threatening to finish the year with a 50/40/90 shooting split, an accomplishment that is practically unheard of for a 20-year-old adjusting to NBA defenses.
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Record Breaker: Knueppel just became the fastest player in NBA history to hit 200 career three-pointers, accomplishing the feat in just 58 games. He shattered the previous record held by Duncan Robinson (69 games).
Empty Stats vs. Impacting Winning
The ultimate separator for voters this year is going to come down to context. Flagg is undeniably a generational talent, but his production is happening in a low-pressure environment where the Mavericks are comfortable letting him take as many shots as he wants during a lost season.
Knueppel, on the other hand, had to fight for his touches on a Hornets roster loaded with established scorers like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Not only did he carve out a massive role, but his hyper-efficient shooting has actively elevated Charlotte into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Jeff Teague said what a lot of NBA insiders have been thinking behind closed doors. When you combine historic shooting efficiency with meaningful, high-stakes basketball, Kon Knueppel isn’t just a great rookie he is the Rookie of the Year.
