Future Spur: Dylan Harper

[skin27]

the Spurs don’t draft low IQ chuckers. Bailey will drop to 5 if not lower

spurs just did that in 2023 by picking wemby(low iq chucker superstar).

[venitian navigator]

Im the only one that sees in Harper a younger and stronger 19 yo Manu?

[Obstructed_View]

I never really thought about this much these days. Have the surgeries really improved that much (I suppose they have), or do you think it's better rehab and nutrition and whatever stuff that happens after the surgery these days. I wonder what has changed the most because I do remember players not coming back from this stuff. I am guessing better treatments and maybe stuff like stem cell therapy might be something that is getting used more too.

Do they still do the microfracture surgeries (I am guessing not as I haven't heard about them mentioned for a long time). I'm assuming there is better alternatives these days. I remember some of the players that got that, a lot of them never really got back to their old level.

I also wonder about achilles injuries. I also can't remember which leg it happened with on Kobe. Not sure if it was age or mileage, but he didn't seem to come back too well after it. I read/saw it mentioned somewhere that with Tatum it was on his non-jumping leg, so that should help in his case (plus advancement in the surgeries themselves). KD seems to have come back from it great too (KD has really come back from some of injuries really well, but then again, maybe there's been a lot of advancement compared to some of the players that got it done years ago).

I would imagine that surgery has advanced hand-in-hand with rehab. Getting the ligament to come back with the same strength and flexibility without adding bulk from scar tissue is probably the key, and you need both to ensure that happens.

Achilles injuries are strange. Many times they seem to happen with very little active strain. Tatum's was when he was changing direction, but that's about the most I remember seeing. Vinny Testaverde's happened when he was stepping back, and most of the ones we see follow that. Gerald Wilkins was the same way. It's why people call it almost immediately because it's almost always a non-contact injury. According to WebMD, it also most-often occurs in the part of the tendon that gets the least blood flow so it heals the slowest. There are a lot of guys out there who are walking on time bombs. Every pro athlete should be getting massage work specifically targeted on areas like that to to move blood cells in and out of the area.

I know I'm going off on a bit of a tangent, but I'm a MT and geek out on this stuff. Remember when Victor turned his ankle and we all thought he was going to be out for a while and it barely affected him? He does a lot of flexibility stretching that many other athletes don't do. There's a guy on Youtube who does flexibility training and I'm not sure he could sprain his ankle if he wanted to because he's trained his ankles to flex. My point is that I wonder if there's a part of this that is struggling to catch up to surgery and rehab to actively prevent some of these things before they happen. Victor's training may start to catch on with other players.

[Obstructed_View]

Im the only one that sees in Harper a younger and stronger 19 yo Manu?

Younger for sure, but Manu was pretty amazing when he was young. That's for sure a guy I would love to have the Spurs bring in just to work with the guards.

[TheBallsbreakers]

spurs just did that by in 2023 picking wemby(low iq chucker superstar).

At least not as low iq as you as a poster. A toast to you - ST's resident low iq superstar

[SupremeGuy]

Don't know if it's already been posted

[Spurs Brazil]

2025 NBA mock draft: Projecting all 59 picks post-combine

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...llas-mavericks

2. San Antonio Spurs
Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers
Freshman | TS%: 59.3

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-4½ | Weight: 213
Standing reach: 8-6 | Wingspan: 6-10½

Intel and fit: Already operating from one of the strongest long-term positions in the league, the Spurs drew lottery luck for the third straight year, jumping six spots to No. 2 and earning the right to select Harper, the consensus option after Flagg goes off the board.

San Antonio was thrilled with its lottery luck, and early signs indicate that it is very comfortable with Harper, prioritizing the best available talent over fit concerns in a backcourt that features De'Aaron Fox and NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. Building around Victor Wembanyama (21 years old), Castle (20) and Harper (19) on rookie contracts is an enviable foundation that offers tremendous short-term flexibility from a salary cap perspective. This selection would raise questions about the Spurs shooting and splitting up ballhandling duties among their guards, but Harper has substantial talent, and selecting him is easy to justify.

Though trade speculation has swirled around San Antonio and this pick since lottery night, at this stage of the process, it appears to be simply that. The Spurs want to get Wembanyama to the playoffs, but don't have to rush into a blockbuster deal, be it for Giannis Antetokounmpo (should he become available) or a different star.

San Antonio has the future draft capital to keep Harper and still significantly upgrade its roster at a lesser cost. Rival teams expect the Spurs will entertain their options, but the wide assumption is Harper will be the pick, barring a blockbuster move. -- Woo

[John B]

Don't know if it's already been posted

Just looking at Bailey’s (originally reported at 6’10 in height) shoulders next to Giannis 6’11 (maybe 7 footer) is significantly lower, maybe 4 or 5 inches difference, and the hands length with Giannis 9.85 vs Bailey 8.5. Bailey measurements at the Combine is a midget in comparison.

[SouthernFried]

spurs just did that in 2023 by picking wemby(low iq chucker superstar).

What a great description. I've never been so frustrated watching such great talent. "No, no...wtf are you doing?? OMG, that was amazing! Stop shooting 50' 3's!! Nice 3!!! Quit dribbling in the lane! Did you see that behind the back inside dribble? Did he just pass it 15' over the guys head?"

"Low IQ Chucker Superstar!" I think Wemby's created a new category. This is Gold

Keep our pick and Trade Wemby for Cooper.

Castle, Harper, Fox, Cooper...and some 7'2 block of granite in the middle.

Yeah...That would be pretty intense. I may even buy season tickets again to see that.

[skin27]

What a great description. I've never been so frustrated watching such great talent. "No, no...wtf are you doing?? OMG, that was amazing! Stop shooting 50' 3's!! Nice 3!!! Quit dribbling in the lane! Did you see that behind the back inside dribble? Did he just pass it 15' over the guys head?"

"Low IQ Chucker Superstar!" I think Wemby's created a new category. This is Gold

Keep our pick and Trade Wemby for Cooper.

Castle, Harper, Fox, Cooper...and some 7'2 block of granite in the middle.

Yeah...That would be pretty intense. I may even buy season tickets again to see that.

wemby better be on a big market team and a team who actually let him play and not baby sit him.

[jiggy_55]

Just for sharing, this is a trade idea from NBA.com:

2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper (Rutgers, PG/SG)

• Size: 6’6″, 215 lbs
• Age: 19
• Nationality: USA
• Pro Comparisons: Cade Cunningham/Jalen Brunson

Dylan Harper’s downhill game, elite finishing package and shotmaking capabilities have extended a gap between him and the No. 3 prospect.
He should be interchangeable between both guard spots thanks to a dangerous handle, 6’6″ size and 39.0% catch-and-shoot stroke. However, you draft Harper to initiate offense, put pressure on the rim, create opportunities and have a player who can take over stretches of a game with his elite driving ability and confidence pulling up, stepping back or shooting from deep.
Team fit: The Spurs’ young core would be fully loaded if Harper joined Victor Wembanyama, reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and this club’s bounty of high-end role players in the Alamo City. But do the Spurs, who brokered a big deal for De’Aaron Fox in February, really want to add another young guard with an iffy jumper to the mix? Or will they turn their lottery winnings into another aggressive move for established talent? Stay tuned. —Zach Buckley, NBA Analyst

TRADE IDEA

• Spurs Receive: Jaylen Brown
• Celtics Receive: No. 2 pick, No. 14 pick, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and a 2030 first-round pick (via SAS, DAL or MIN)

[Mr. Body]

oh god no

[scottspurs]

Just for sharing, this is a trade idea from NBA.com:

2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper (Rutgers, PG/SG)

• Size: 6’6″, 215 lbs
• Age: 19
• Nationality: USA
• Pro Comparisons: Cade Cunningham/Jalen Brunson

Dylan Harper’s downhill game, elite finishing package and shotmaking capabilities have extended a gap between him and the No. 3 prospect.
He should be interchangeable between both guard spots thanks to a dangerous handle, 6’6″ size and 39.0% catch-and-shoot stroke. However, you draft Harper to initiate offense, put pressure on the rim, create opportunities and have a player who can take over stretches of a game with his elite driving ability and confidence pulling up, stepping back or shooting from deep.
Team fit: The Spurs’ young core would be fully loaded if Harper joined Victor Wembanyama, reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and this club’s bounty of high-end role players in the Alamo City. But do the Spurs, who brokered a big deal for De’Aaron Fox in February, really want to add another young guard with an iffy jumper to the mix? Or will they turn their lottery winnings into another aggressive move for established talent? Stay tuned. —Zach Buckley, NBA Analyst

TRADE IDEA

• Spurs Receive: Jaylen Brown
• Celtics Receive: No. 2 pick, No. 14 pick, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and a 2030 first-round pick (via SAS, DAL or MIN)

might as well throw in Wemby and Castle as well. How about 3 Taco Cabana franchises. Can the Hemisphere be moved to Boston?

[mystargtr34]

That’s too much for soon to be 30yo Jaylen Brown imo.

I would have to think hard about just pick number 2 for Jaylen straight up.

[PhantomDashCam]

Jaylen Brown could be damaged goods after reports suggest he’s been playing with a torn meniscus for a while.
They may have unwittingly shortened the man’s career.

[Ice009]

Jaylen Brown could be damaged goods after reports suggest he’s been playing with a torn meniscus for a while.
They may have unwittingly shortened the man’s career.

Sh!t. Did he know it was torn? Was it his decision to play with it like that? Hopefully at least it was his decision and not the team pushing him to play.

Regardless of hearing this, I still wouldn't even come close to entertaining that trade proposal mentioned.

[PhantomDashCam]

Sh!t. Did he know it was torn? Was it his decision to play with it like that? Hopefully at least it was his decision and not the team pushing him to play.

Regardless of hearing this, I still wouldn't even come close to entertaining that trade proposal mentioned.

Agreed. Way too much to give up and still not bringing perimeter shooting in.
On the meniscus injury, supposedly he and the Celtics did know. I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear more on this over time.

[onechance87]

Just for sharing, this is a trade idea from NBA.com:

2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper (Rutgers, PG/SG)

• Size: 6’6″, 215 lbs
• Age: 19
• Nationality: USA
• Pro Comparisons: Cade Cunningham/Jalen Brunson

Dylan Harper’s downhill game, elite finishing package and shotmaking capabilities have extended a gap between him and the No. 3 prospect.
He should be interchangeable between both guard spots thanks to a dangerous handle, 6’6″ size and 39.0% catch-and-shoot stroke. However, you draft Harper to initiate offense, put pressure on the rim, create opportunities and have a player who can take over stretches of a game with his elite driving ability and confidence pulling up, stepping back or shooting from deep.
Team fit: The Spurs’ young core would be fully loaded if Harper joined Victor Wembanyama, reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and this club’s bounty of high-end role players in the Alamo City. But do the Spurs, who brokered a big deal for De’Aaron Fox in February, really want to add another young guard with an iffy jumper to the mix? Or will they turn their lottery winnings into another aggressive move for established talent? Stay tuned. —Zach Buckley, NBA Analyst

TRADE IDEA

• Spurs Receive: Jaylen Brown
• Celtics Receive: No. 2 pick, No. 14 pick, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and a 2030 first-round pick (via SAS, DAL or MIN)

This is crazy.This is the package i would of sent for giannis.Not brown.Huge pass

[LeBowen]

This is crazy.This is the package i would of sent for giannis.Not brown.Huge pass

It's just about generating views and engagement.
Idk how can some Spurs fans still take any trade scenarios articles seriously knowing how the franchise operates.
Unless everyone starts reporting the same thing like they did with Fox, it's just whataboutism and speculation with no insight whatsoever.

[RC_Drunkford]

wouldn't even make sense cap wise, cause Brown is on a supermax. That deal would kill us in 2 years

[John B]

might as well throw in Wemby and Castle as well. How about 3 Taco Cabana franchises. Can the Hemisphere be moved to Boston?

At least we still have the Coyote

[BatManu20]

Just for sharing, this is a trade idea from NBA.com:

2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper (Rutgers, PG/SG)

• Size: 6’6″, 215 lbs
• Age: 19
• Nationality: USA
• Pro Comparisons: Cade Cunningham/Jalen Brunson

Dylan Harper’s downhill game, elite finishing package and shotmaking capabilities have extended a gap between him and the No. 3 prospect.
He should be interchangeable between both guard spots thanks to a dangerous handle, 6’6″ size and 39.0% catch-and-shoot stroke. However, you draft Harper to initiate offense, put pressure on the rim, create opportunities and have a player who can take over stretches of a game with his elite driving ability and confidence pulling up, stepping back or shooting from deep.
Team fit: The Spurs’ young core would be fully loaded if Harper joined Victor Wembanyama, reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and this club’s bounty of high-end role players in the Alamo City. But do the Spurs, who brokered a big deal for De’Aaron Fox in February, really want to add another young guard with an iffy jumper to the mix? Or will they turn their lottery winnings into another aggressive move for established talent? Stay tuned. —Zach Buckley, NBA Analyst

TRADE IDEA

• Spurs Receive: Jaylen Brown
• Celtics Receive: No. 2 pick, No. 14 pick, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and a 2030 first-round pick (via SAS, DAL or MIN)

Hilarious . In no world would the Spurs give all up for Jaylen Brown and his albatross contract (he's due $234M over the next 4 years... disgusting). B-Wright would be fired on the spot.

[rascal]

Im the only one that sees in Harper a younger and stronger 19 yo Manu?

Different games

I don't see the similarities, Manu better as an off ball sg and Harper as an on ball pg.

[baseline bum]

Just for sharing, this is a trade idea from NBA.com:

2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper (Rutgers, PG/SG)

• Size: 6’6″, 215 lbs
• Age: 19
• Nationality: USA
• Pro Comparisons: Cade Cunningham/Jalen Brunson

Dylan Harper’s downhill game, elite finishing package and shotmaking capabilities have extended a gap between him and the No. 3 prospect.
He should be interchangeable between both guard spots thanks to a dangerous handle, 6’6″ size and 39.0% catch-and-shoot stroke. However, you draft Harper to initiate offense, put pressure on the rim, create opportunities and have a player who can take over stretches of a game with his elite driving ability and confidence pulling up, stepping back or shooting from deep.
Team fit: The Spurs’ young core would be fully loaded if Harper joined Victor Wembanyama, reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and this club’s bounty of high-end role players in the Alamo City. But do the Spurs, who brokered a big deal for De’Aaron Fox in February, really want to add another young guard with an iffy jumper to the mix? Or will they turn their lottery winnings into another aggressive move for established talent? Stay tuned. —Zach Buckley, NBA Analyst

TRADE IDEA

• Spurs Receive: Jaylen Brown
• Celtics Receive: No. 2 pick, No. 14 pick, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and a 2030 first-round pick (via SAS, DAL or MIN)

I wouldn't even trade Evin + Kelon for Brown. Slightly above average player on a cap crushing 35% supermax? No ing thanks.

[baseline bum]

That’s too much for soon to be 30yo Jaylen Brown imo.

I would have to think hard about just pick number 2 for Jaylen straight up.

I wouldn't trade #14 for Brown much less #2. 35% supermax on a guy with a PER of 17.8? Guy is also a terrible defender statistically. How the can he be 24th percentile on Crafted NBA's defensive plus minus with all the defensive talent around him any time he steps on the floor? No way. Boston is going to have to attach assets to get anyone to take Brown's deal.