Dylan Harper, the absolute phenom who dropped 21 points in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at just 20 years old, is heading into the San Antonio Spurs’ training camp this week, and his exact role on the squad is still a massive head-scratcher. After media day on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, it’s clear the Spurs coaching staff has some big decisions to make with a talent like Harper on their hands.
The Coach’s Vision: Three Guards?!
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson didn’t exactly spill all the beans at media day, but he did drop a huge hint about how he plans to shake things up this season. He wants Harper, All-Star De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle, the team’s other two rim-attacking guards, all on the court together more often. Johnson was quoted saying, “I see all three of them playing together.” He acknowledged it won’t be “a lot more” but definitely “more than we did in the regular season (in 2025-26) for sure.” Last season, Harper was strictly a bench guy, while Fox and Castle got the starting nods. Fox is totally on board with the plan, saying he “definitely expect[s] to see it more.” Castle, though, sounds like he’s trying to shut down the noise about who starts, calling it “pretty much all outside noise for us.” He added, “Whoever starts, whoever doesn’t start, we all start together, I think we’ll be fine either way.” He thinks they’re “three high-level guards that are pretty unselfish” who can play off each other. But how do you make that work without someone feeling slighted? That’s the million-dollar question for Johnson.
Finals Firepower vs. Bench Role
Let’s not forget what Harper *just* did. This guy, the No. 2 overall pick from the 2025 NBA Draft, had a playoff run that had everyone talking. He didn’t just play well; he made history. Dropping 21 points off the bench in Game 4 against the New York Knicks, he became the youngest player *ever* at 20 years and 100 days old to score 20-plus points in an NBA game. Then, he followed that up with 25 points in Game 5. You’d think that kind of electrifying performance would guarantee a starting spot, right? But the Spurs ended up losing both those games, ultimately falling to New York in five games in the Finals. Many observers are screaming that Harper *has* to have a bigger role this season after his clutch performances. Harper himself is staying incredibly positive, saying, “whatever I can do just like last year to help the team win… I’m always going to stay positive and I’m always going to be at the forefront of just keeping the team together.” That’s the right attitude, but you know a guy who can make history like that wants to be on the floor.
With training camp kicking off on Tuesday, the pressure is squarely on Coach Johnson to figure out this guard rotation. How he juggles Harper’s explosive talent with Fox and Castle’s established roles could completely define the Spurs’ season. We’re talking about a potential powerhouse backcourt if they click, or a chemistry nightmare if they don’t. Keep your eyes peeled as camp progresses; the way these three guards are utilized is going to be one of the biggest stories coming out of San Antonio, for sure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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