Anyone who attempts to dispute VJ Edgecombe's ascendency as a star since landing on the Philadelphia 76ers would be teetering on the insane. However, given the franchise's recent three-point shooting struggles and the unforgiving burden that has been placed on the shoulders of Tyrese Maxey during Joel Embiid's predictable absence, it is hard to deny that the Charlotte Hornets' rookie Kon Knueppel's sharpshooting from deep would not have been a perfect fit in this roster.
Before the Sixers registered a marginal 106-102 victory over the Utah Jazz on March 4, they had lost seven of their previous 11 games. During this period, Philadelphia's shooting from deep nosedived into oblivion -- sitting in 26th position in both three-point field goals made and three-point field goal percentage.
In comparison, for the season overall, the 76ers rank 21st in three-point field goals made and 19th in three-point field goal percentage. These statistics indicate that the franchise's efficiency from deep is far from where it needs to be in today's NBA -- highlighting what impact Charlotte's sensational rookie could have had on Philadelphia's championship ambitions.
Kon Knueppel is a player perfectly sculpted for the Sixers
Over the years, 76ers fans have begged the front office to go out and grab a versatile wing who can not only grab boards and supplement Joel Embiid's attributes, but also pack a punch from beyond the arc. For a moment, Philadelphia believed that player came in the form of former 76ers forward Tobias Harris. It’s now evident that the decision didn’t produce the outcome many were hoping for.
General manager Daryl Morey then pivoted toward a Paul George narrative that promised to form the most devastating trio in 76ers history. Do I really need to elaborate further on that one? I will not bother wasting the word count.
Within all of this turmoil and poor decision-making, a young man had pledged his future to the prestigious Duke University, forming a stunning partnership with the Dallas Mavericks gem Cooper Flagg, while impressing NBA scouts with his sharpshooting potential in the process.
Despite being selected fourth overall in the 2025 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Kon Knueppel is establishing himself as the most effective rookie in his class. The 20-year-old is averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, while shooting 43.6% from deep.
Percentages do not always provide the full picture of the damage a player is truly enacting. Yes, his three-point percentage is highly efficient for a rookie with his experience; however, it does provide the record-breaking tally that Knueppel can now boast.
Knueppel became the fastest player in NBA history to reach 100 career threes (29 games). Not only this, but on February 26, the Hornets star smashed the rookie record for three-pointers made in a season when he sank his 207th of the year. A total that now sits at 222 as of March 7, with much of the 2025-26 schedule left to play.
No one is debating the effectiveness of VJ Edgecombe during his rookie campaign. His performances have been truly sublime. Nevertheless, Kon Knueppel is exhibiting attributes from deep that the Philadelphia 76ers have craved for many years, and it is hard to imagine what this roster would currently look like if his talents were partnered alongside the enthralling Tyrese Maxey.