We're focusing on the bright spots, and it doesn't get much brighter than Kon Knueppel’s start to the season. We’re seriously looking at his case for Rookie of the Year. His odds are third-best in the class, and his numbers are fantastic. He's second among rookies in scoring and is shooting an incredible 41% from three on over seven attempts per game. He's on pace to shatter Keegan Murray’s rookie 3-point record , and his advanced stats are elite, rating in the 98th percentile as a pick-and-roll roll man. We discuss what he needs to win the award and whether the absence of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller helps or hurts his case.

It's a different story for last year's rookie, Tidjane Salaun, who has been optioned to the Greensboro Swarm. After a promising start, his minutes disappeared. We think this is a great decision for his development, allowing him to refine his technique and footwork in a competitive G-League setting. However, his path back to the NBA rotation looks tough, especially with Sion James' versatility and Grant Williams' eventual return.

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