Dylan Harper is shutting down all the noise about a supposed rift with De’Aaron Fox after a wild 2025-26 season, making it clear there are no issues between the two San Antonio Spurs guards. Harper, the #2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, proved he belongs at the highest level right out of the gate, but rumors about his fit alongside Fox and Stephon Castle have been buzzing all summer.
Fox Under Fire, Harper Shines
Let’s be real, the 2025-26 season was a roller coaster, especially when you look at the different paths Harper and Fox took. Harper showed up and showed out as a sixth man, absolutely shining in that role through both the regular season and the Playoffs. He played extremely well, proving the hype was real. But for De’Aaron Fox, it was a totally different story. Fox had some mediocre performances in the postseason, and honestly, he was underwhelming in the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. That led to Harper getting even more opportunities to go off. Fox has faced the brunt of the criticism all summer because he just wasn’t at his best when it mattered most.
“Me and Him Never Had a Problem”
With those wild performance differences, people started calling for Harper to take over as the starter. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see more of that kind of play? But here’s the kicker: Harper isn’t about that drama. He’s out there saying he doesn’t want to undercut Fox, telling Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, “Me and him never had a problem. I’ve never seen a problem playing with two to three ball-handlers on the floor. Everyone last year said that it was not going to work, but I think we exceeded expectations a lot. All I care about is doing what’s best for the team and winning, and he is a big factor in us winning now and in the future.” That’s a huge statement! Harper fits like a glove alongside Castle and Victor Wembanyama, making him look like the long-term project. But for now, the Spurs are still leaning on Fox to help chase a championship.
Harper has cemented himself as one of the most promising guards in recent history, no doubt about it. With how he performed in the Playoffs, he could easily become the go-to scoring option for the Spurs. It’ll be tough to completely usurp Fox, but Harper is out there just enjoying being the standout guard off the bench. You’ve gotta respect that team-first mentality. This coming season, all eyes will be on how this dynamic duo pushes the Spurs closer to that championship.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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