The San Antonio Spurs have, without question, the best young core in the NBA. Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper are all under 23 years old and are still on their rookie contracts.
Other dominant cores, like the Boston Celtics and OKC Thunder (to an extent), have been broken up. Wembanyama took a pay cut, helping ensure that the Spurs will remain intact.
While the Spurs seem to have solved any salary issues, “role” might remain an issue. Harper seems ready to sit on the bench, at least for now, but having him in a limited role is not suited for long-term success. While he hasn’t made a starting demand yet, the clock is ticking.
The Spurs, in short, need to prove to Harper that they are invested in him long-term and will give him the role required to blossom into a superstar. He has the talent, clearly, and the trust of the organization. All he needs now are the minutes.
Spurs Remain High on Dylan Harper
In the NBA Finals, Harper broke out, surpassing De’Aaron Fox as the best lead guard on the roster. The rookie averaged 18 points, proving that he can thrive on the biggest stage.
Are the Spurs willing to give him the lead role over an 82-game season? Probably not yet, but there have been discussions between player and team about his future.
“They aren’t interested in forcing an unnatural timeline or altering the structural DNA of their program for a high-octane superstar rental,” reported Brandon Robinson. “Behind the scenes, the organization’s primary mandate remains explicitly clear: they want to systematically build around their elite young core of Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and rookie sensation Dylan Harper.”
Well, Fox isn’t long for the Spurs. While San Antonio’s front office has been clear that they trust the veteran, the long-term plan hinges on the young trio.
Harper, it seems, has been told that. While next season might not end with an All-Star nod or his first All-NBA appearance, it’s only a matter of time.
“This rigid commitment to internal development over standard superstar shopping is a structural philosophy,” Robinson added. “I know for a fact that prior to drafting Dylan Harper last year with the No. 2 overall pick, the Spurs front office sat down with Harper and told him directly that he was their future. They assured him that they were entirely committed to drafting him at number two and explicitly stated they were not going to execute a blockbuster trade with the Phoenix Suns to acquire Kevin Durant—a promise they ultimately kept.”
The Spurs could have flipped Harper for Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or Jaylen Brown. Instead, San Antonio kept him on the roster, out of trade talks, and he remains a central part of their roster.
It sounds like the Spurs have promised him a starting (and starring) role. As soon as Fox is off the roster, it’ll be Harper’s team to run. Depending on the trade market for Fox, there’s a chance that the pair will switch roles. That would make Fox the most expensive reserve in the NBA.
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