The San Antonio Spurs already know who their real number two is behind Victor Wembanyama, and it’s not who some might expect. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed during The Hoop Collective that the Spurs internally believe second-year guard Dylan Harper is their second-best player on the squad, despite a deep roster around him.
The Buzz Is Real, And It’s Coming From Inside The House
Forget the outside noise, because the whispers about Harper are coming straight from the Spurs’ front office itself. ESPN’s Michael C. Wright has been hearing “really good things” about Harper, but Brian Windhorst took it a step further, confirming that internal belief. Windhorst didn’t mince words, calling Harper a “stud” and pointing to his number two pick status in the draft as clear proof of his talent. He made it clear this isn’t a slight against guys like De’Aaron Fox or Stephon Castle, who are both crucial, but simply an acknowledgment of Harper’s raw skill. Plus, the guy apparently only “got better as the season went along” during his rookie year. That’s a scary thought for the rest of the league.
From Rookie Stats to Finals Fire
Harper’s rookie year numbers were solid, but they didn’t scream “second-best player” to the casual fan. He played in 69 regular-season games, starting just four, and put up 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Decent, right? But here’s where it gets real: the playoffs. He upped his game significantly, especially in the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. Even though the Spurs fell in five games, Harper had a breakout showing, averaging a monstrous 18.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. This dude showed up when it mattered most, no doubt.
Despite that Finals performance, it looks like Harper might be back in a sixth-man role this season, with Fox and Castle pegged for the starting lineup. But don’t sleep on that. Harper himself told B/R he’s ready to “excel in any role he sees” during his sophomore campaign. That’s the kind of confidence you love to see, especially when the whispers are already saying “superstar level” for this guy, maybe even sooner than anyone thought possible.
So, as the new season kicks off, Dylan Harper is undoubtedly the player to watch for the Spurs. His emergence to a superstar level could seriously come sooner than anyone expected. If he backs up the hype and the internal belief, San Antonio’s “deepest roster” claim is about to get a whole lot scarier for the rest of the league.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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