First of all, let me be clear about my Dylan Harper opinion: he's an amazing young talent, and I have all the faith in the world that he's going to be a star in this league. I don't have any regrets from San Antonio's decision to take him with the second overall pick, but I also have eyes. He was a part of an elite draft class, and Kon Knueppel's performance against the Mavericks last night is just the latest confirmation of that.
Can you imagine if the Spurs drafted Knueppel instead of Harper?
Even if Harper ends up better long-term, there's no denying Kon's elite shooting, versatile scoring, creation, and intangibles would've lifted San Antonio to another level today. Kon is already a top 50 player.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) January 30, 2026
KOC gets a little excited, but how can you not be after Kon drops 34, making 8/12 threes, and clinching the win with two free throws to end the game?
Kon Knueppel is a baller
Let's ignore the embellishment from Kevin O'Connor on his "Kon is already a top 50 player" take. It's a little too far for my taste, but there's merit to what he's suggesting. I do think that Harper will be the better player long-term because I don't know how much higher Knueppel can take his game. Some guys hit their ceilings faster than others, and the former Blue Devil might fit in that box.
However, whatever that ceiling does look like, his floor is looking pretty damn good, and it would have fit into the Spurs' offense more seamlessly than Dyl has thus far. But that's pretty much strictly because of his three-point shooting ability, so the question San Antonio should ask themselves is this: how could that kind of skill transform this offense? And it's a fair one.
A natural shooter would energize the Spurs' offense
The Silver and Black have a bunch of guys who can shoot the ball sometimes, but they don't have a bona fide shooter. There is a distinct difference, and none of their guys fit that mold. You can tell by the form on their jump shots.
Harrison Barnes doesn't use his legs enough, Devin Vassell jumps too high, Stephon Castle dips too far, etc. Those are just a few basic observations, and I'm no trainer, but as a student of the game, you can see the flaws in just about every player's form, except for, funny enough, Victor Wembanyama.
Wemby just has big hands and needs more reps, but the potential to be the greatest shooting big man ever is there because his fundamentals are nearly perfect. San Antonio could use a deadly player from range that defenses are forced to blanket the entire game.
Nabbing an elite three-point shooter won't be easy but it's necessary
Knueppel is a special player. Not many guys can come into the league and play as efficiently as he has from all over the court at this point in the season, when everyone knows what your game is. His ability to shoot 42% from deep but put the ball on the floor, finish in traffic, play physically, and make the right play makes him someone you can't summarily dismiss as just another player.
So, it's not easy to say, "Just go get one of those guys." But you could at least try to find a natural shooter who's more of a threat to knock down 5-6 threes a night if you sleep, instead of hoping one of the players on the team happens to get on a heater.
For example, when we look at Julian Champagnie, we know that he has the capability, but it's not something we rely on. He's shooting 37% from deep on the season. That's good. It's not amazing. It's not the "you better stay on him at all times or else" level of shooter we're talking about. We need the career 40% guys.
If the Spurs can add one of those at the trade deadline, it would be a game-changer. They may have to scour the league and use some of those assets, but those players are extremely valuable. Now more than ever, and especially to a team that wants to attack the paint as viciously as San Antonio. Hopefully, Brian Wright can make it happen.