Future Spur: Dylan Harper

[SpursFan86]

Trading down from #2 had better yield some top tier youngish talent (TM3 types), or a legit star (Giannis types). If all it collects is a solid role player (Cam Johnson types) and some future 1st rounders then absolutely pass on those trades. Personally, I hope the Spurs stay out of the collecting future 1sts business because while I agree they are great assets to have in the warchest, when it comes time to actually collect everything about it sucks.

Watching ATL scrape and claw for every single win they could muster against the dog eastern conference with their only real motivation being to screw our draft pick up was agonizing. When you have other teams 1st rounders you know they are going to go all out (because why wouldn't they?) and feast on other teams actually actively tanking. If ATL had their own pick this year we all know it would've been a top 6 or so pick instead of the 14 that we actually got kind of lucky to end up with.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. Not really interested in trading #2 at all unless it’s for a legitimate star.

[dn0774]

Just listen to the latest KOC podcast, there is definitely an agenda to see Harper elsewhere.

Brooklyn comes up a lot: what would it take for you to make that deal (keeping in mind they have a ton of future assets too)?

So many of those podcasters just love having plenty to talk about and big trades = more content, so its not surprising they love to speculate in that manner. Not to mention, Harper being on a slower development track with the Spurs (behind Fox/Castle/Vassell) isn't nearly as interesting to them and their product as Harper being on a basement team getting 36 mpg and massive usage. The other side of the coin to the Spurs trading Harper would likely mean a huge name (Giannis for instance) coming to the Spurs which from their POV(content perspective) would also be amazing. It means Spurs are going all in into win now mode.

All of that to say, from a podcaster/content creator POV, the Spurs taking the patient and disciplined development approach just isn't sexy.

[Mnky]

I hope you're right..... Insofar as his understanding that he needs the help, even if it leads to a reduced role.

But I've also heard a lot of Kings fans talking about how Fox said all that stuff about wanting help, and sharing the ball, yet played really poorly when Haliburton came into the team, and wasn't a willing distributor/liked sharing the ball-handling duties. Even though it's typical to bad-mouth the star leaving town, I was surprised to see it seemed like a commonly-held view amongst Sacto fans at the time - and certainly shared, on some level, by the Kings FO in order to even green-light the Sabonis trade.

I'm looking forward to next season and seeing the dynamics play out on the court. Winning cures everything, as they say, and hopefully the Spurs can get on with that.

He's pretty outspoken. He doesn't hold much back. I know when he first got to play with wemby the game was on the line and there's an interview where the playw as for wemby and fox told him not to look for him, that the team would live or die by wembys shot.
Think that was kind of representative of him knowing his role next to wemby and then speaking highly of castle and taking on wesley early on kind of seems like he has a thing for taking the young guys under his wing. I think he knows he can't do it alone now, maybe he didn't back then.

Of course he could blow up and ruin it all but he wanted San Antonio specifically. I think hes all in on the functional organization. He went through more head coaches than we have point guards at sac.

[CGD]

So many of those podcasters just love having plenty to talk about and big trades = more content, so its not surprising they love to speculate in that manner. Not to mention, Harper being on a slower development track with the Spurs (behind Fox/Castle/Vassell) isn't nearly as interesting to them and their product as Harper being on a basement team getting 36 mpg and massive usage. The other side of the coin to the Spurs trading Harper would likely mean a huge name (Giannis for instance) coming to the Spurs which from their POV(content perspective) would also be amazing. It means Spurs are going all in into win now mode.

All of that to say, from a podcaster/content creator POV, the Spurs taking the patient and disciplined development approach just isn't sexy.

Definitely. They also treat Harper as a finished product which he is not.

The real question though Fox and his future. He has to be thinking he’s already on the trade block on two years x

[SpursGenius]

So many of those podcasters just love having plenty to talk about and big trades = more content, so its not surprising they love to speculate in that manner. Not to mention, Harper being on a slower development track with the Spurs (behind Fox/Castle/Vassell) isn't nearly as interesting to them and their product as Harper being on a basement team getting 36 mpg and massive usage. The other side of the coin to the Spurs trading Harper would likely mean a huge name (Giannis for instance) coming to the Spurs which from their POV(content perspective) would also be amazing. It means Spurs are going all in into win now mode.

All of that to say, from a podcaster/content creator POV, the Spurs taking the patient and disciplined development approach just isn't sexy.

win mode now with old KD and Giannis stupid. It would be all or none and high chance of failure with Wemby moving on when we crash and burn trying for one championship

[spursparker9]

Harper taking Lebron over Kobe and acknowledging Lebron's nickname as GOAT.

Is this a red flag guys??

[Mr. Body]

Harper taking Lebron over Kobe and acknowledging Lebron's nickname as GOAT.

Is this a red flag guys??

??

Kobe isn't anywhere near the greatest and of course LeBron is better than him.

[Leetonidas]

Harper taking Lebron over Kobe and acknowledging Lebron's nickname as GOAT.

Is this a red flag guys??

I would be more concerned if he said the opposite. Anyone with a brain that isn't some casual or Kobestan knows that LeBron is a better player

[itzsoweezee]

Harper taking Lebron over Kobe and acknowledging Lebron's nickname as GOAT.

Is this a red flag guys??

Derick Queen being a Dairy Queen monster fits in so many ways

[Blizzardwizard]

HP Basketball (Matt Moore) on Twitter:

"Have heard some weird stuff the last few days about Spurs and Harper, curious to see where this goes. Probably just with the Spurs drafting him but I'm curious..."

not sure how many people consider Matt Moore a true insider but interesting nonetheless.


he was quoting a (paywalled) rafael barlowe article which says that, while agents and NBA front offices expect SA to take harper, scouts are still "split". his quote from a scout on that read more like speculation than actual solid intel though.


also said that spurs/giannis "keeps coming up in league circles" then quotes an unnamed projected lottery pick's father about the bucks expressing interest in his son despite not having a first-round pick.

[SpursFan86]

HP Basketball (Matt Moore) on Twitter:

"Have heard some weird stuff the last few days about Spurs and Harper, curious to see where this goes. Probably just with the Spurs drafting him but I'm curious..."

not sure how many people consider Matt Moore a true insider but interesting nonetheless.


he was quoting a (paywalled) rafael barlowe article which says that, while agents and NBA front offices expect SA to take harper, scouts are still "split". his quote from a scout on that read more like speculation than actual solid intel though.


also said that spurs/giannis "keeps coming up in league circles" then quotes an unnamed projected lottery pick's father about the bucks expressing interest in his son despite not having a first-round pick.

I’m not sure I’m buying it but interesting nevertheless. I suspect there will be a ton of smoke and deception over the next 3 weeks with all the talks of this being one of the craziest offseasons in memory.

[mo7888]

HP Basketball (Matt Moore) on Twitter:

"Have heard some weird stuff the last few days about Spurs and Harper, curious to see where this goes. Probably just with the Spurs drafting him but I'm curious..."

not sure how many people consider Matt Moore a true insider but interesting nonetheless.


he was quoting a (paywalled) rafael barlowe article which says that, while agents and NBA front offices expect SA to take harper, scouts are still "split". his quote from a scout on that read more like speculation than actual solid intel though.


also said that spurs/giannis "keeps coming up in league circles" then quotes an unnamed projected lottery pick's father about the bucks expressing interest in his son despite not having a first-round pick.

I just don't think we're going after Giannis, but if we did we'd also have to have a couple other deals in place to add shooting. It would be the signal that the FO thinks we're ready to compete for a le next year and I don't think we're that close myself.

[exstatic]

Harper taking Lebron over Kobe and acknowledging Lebron's nickname as GOAT.

Is this a red flag guys??

Recency bias. Kid possibly never saw Kobe play live. He’s actually wrong either way, as MJ is the GOAT.

[John B]

Recency bias. Kid possibly never saw Kobe play live. He’s actually wrong either way, as MJ is the GOAT.

These kids were not born yet to watch Kobe at prime, and only knows LeBron. I don’t even have LeBron on top 5 let alone the GOAT. But surprisingly Harper didn’t pick MJ. I’m sure he watched a lot of his dad’s old films with the Bulls.

[spurraider21]

I’m not sure I’m buying it but interesting nevertheless. I suspect there will be a ton of smoke and deception over the next 3 weeks with all the talks of this being one of the craziest offseasons in memory.

the question marks about how the backcourt pieces would fit together are legitimate, but its not like there is another prospect who is in the same tier as harper in this draft, so its not really worth the consideration. it just makes some trade more likely, but theres also no need to make an immediate move until we figure out how these guys actually play. can castle scale down his offensive role, play high level defense, and improve his efficiency? how well can Harper defend 2's? how well can Harper/Fox play off each other?

take some time to figure it out, and make a trade later if necessary

[SpursFan86]

the question marks about how the backcourt pieces would fit together are legitimate, but its not like there is another prospect who is in the same tier as harper in this draft, so its not really worth the consideration. it just makes some trade more likely, but theres also no need to make an immediate move until we figure out how these guys actually play. can castle scale down his offensive role, play high level defense, and improve his efficiency? how well can Harper defend 2's? how well can Harper/Fox play off each other?

take some time to figure it out, and make a trade later if necessary

Right - I suspect a lot of the “chatter” about the Spurs not taking Harper or trying to trade out of the pick are purely based on outsiders looking at the fit with Fox/Castle rather than actual credible sources. To your point the concerns are valid, but you don’t pass up on a prospect of Harper’s caliber because of that sort of thing.

Only way I see SA going another direction is if 1) they don’t view Harper in that light (not likely IMO, clear consensus seems to be that he’s a legit #1 caliber guy) or 2) they manage to work out a deal for Giannis (also not likely). For now I still think the Spurs drafting Harper and keeping him is far and away the most likely outcome.

[Mr. Body]

As with Flagg and the Mavs, there's a good chance to me that Harper does not put on a Spurs uniform next season. It's pretty slim for Flagg, but a larger chance for Harper. Not that things are quiet - that's to be expected - but that the Spurs may see value somewhere else. Also, we've skidded past the point, but the Castle-Fox-Harper fit is really, really bad. Maybe not immediately, but within like a year it's going to be a major problem.

[Mitch Cumsteen]

I don't really get the Fox age discussion like he's Chris Paul or something. He's 27, just entering his prime. He's all of 200 days older than SGA. Nobody is talking about SGA aging out of Oklahoma.

[scott]

As with Flagg and the Mavs, there's a good chance to me that Harper does not put on a Spurs uniform next season. It's pretty slim for Flagg, but a larger chance for Harper. Not that things are quiet - that's to be expected - but that the Spurs may see value somewhere else. Also, we've skidded past the point, but the Castle-Fox-Harper fit is really, really bad. Maybe not immediately, but within like a year it's going to be a major problem.

I agree. That's why I keep trying to throw out Harper scenarios. It's not that I want to trade Harper... but I'm curious what other folks would consider a good trade. Most fans (not just SpursTalk) have already internalized the idea of Harper being a Spur and have put a mental block to the idea of trading him for anything... so it's kind of a difficult to have a rational conversation with people on this topic... but I think you are spot on.

Chance of Flagg Traded < Chance of Harper Traded <<< 50%

[Dejounte]

I don't really get the Fox age discussion like he's Chris Paul or something. He's 27, just entering his prime. He's all of 200 days older than SGA. Nobody is talking about SGA aging out of Oklahoma.

spurstalk has a teen fetish

[mo7888]

I agree. That's why I keep trying to throw out Harper scenarios. It's not that I want to trade Harper... but I'm curious what other folks would consider a good trade. Most fans (not just SpursTalk) have already internalized the idea of Harper being a Spur and have put a mental block to the idea of trading him for anything... so it's kind of a difficult to have a rational conversation with people on this topic... but I think you are spot on.

Chance of Flagg Traded < Chance of Harper Traded <<< 50%

If you're throwing out scenarios, should we also throw out Castle scenarios? Harper has a higher ceiling I'd think and Castle has the added PR in a trade because of the ROTY to make it easier for an opposing GM to take him.

[scott]

If you're throwing out scenarios, should we also throw out Castle scenarios? Harper has a higher floor I'd think and Castle has the added PR in a trade because of the ROTY to make it easier for an opposing GM to take him.

I started the one thread asking people what they'd realistically require to trade Harper or Castle... and most of the responses were... not all that realistic, so I gave up

But I agree with you, we should have an open mind to both. I love Castle... but I'd probably keep Harper over him.

[mo7888]

I started the one thread asking people what they'd realistically require to trade Harper or Castle... and most of the responses were... not all that realistic, so I gave up

But I agree with you, we should have an open mind to both. I love Castle... but I'd probably keep Harper over him.

I agree. I'd think Castle could bring #3 straight up or combine him with KJ and get #8 + Cam if we wanted.

Before everyone gets their panties in a wad im not suggesting we should necessarily do either, I'm just talking about what I think his value is.

[scott]

I agree. I'd think Castle could bring #3 straight up or combine him with KJ and get #8 + Cam if we wanted.

Before everyone gets their panties in a wad im not suggesting we should necessarily do either, I'm just talking about what I think his value is.

It makes discussing these things tough, because the two options for most people are they have unreasonable expectations... or they get their panties in a wad and start name calling

[mo7888]

It makes discussing these things tough, because the two options for most people are they have unreasonable expectations... or they get their panties in a wad and start name calling

True dat