Since drafting Victor Wembanyama in 2023, the San Antonio Spurs’ predominant precedence has been surrounding him with dynamic guards. Having robust backcourt play would make Wembanyama’s life rather a lot simpler, and the Spurs have performed an impressive job of that up to now.
They drafted Stephon Fortress in 2024, giving them a flexible backcourt piece that may playmake, slash, and defend at a excessive degree. They traded for De’Aaron Fox previous to final season’s commerce deadline to offer them a veteran three-level scorer and a dependable clutch choice.
Regardless of having these two in tow, San Antonio has not stopped there. Fox and Fortress have been their greatest choices up to now, however because the Spurs transfer into the long run, one guard stands out with famous person potential.
Dylan Harper is the long run for the Spurs not De’Aaron Fox
San Antonio received the second decide within the draft final summer time, and whereas they didn’t land Cooper Flagg, Harper was the subsequent smartest thing. He was a standout at Rutgers and is the right match for the fashionable sport. He’s a much bigger guard with a good deal with, a pick-and-roll maestro, and might slash to the rim at will.
Thus far, Harper has adjusted effectively to the NBA sport. He’s averaging about 13 factors per sport, three rebounds, and 4 assists. He seems comfy in an on-ball function off the bench and has proven an incredible quantity of poise. He doesn’t flip the ball over (just one.7 per sport), and attending to the basket has been a power of his.
The one knock on Harper has been consistency. He has typically struggled with effectivity, particularly from three-point vary (solely 28 p.c). He has a true-shooting share of 52.7 p.c, however it takes time for younger gamers to determine easy methods to be environment friendly.
In his final 5 video games, his three-point shot has come round (43 p.c), in order that could possibly be an indication of extra improved capturing to come back.
Harper could possibly be one of the best guard out of San Antonio’s trio
I’ve mentioned earlier than that Harper has a variety of Cade Cunningham-like tendencies to his sport, and we see how Cunningham is doing as a lead guard now in Detroit. As soon as Harper develops, he has the potential to kind a tantalizing duo with Wembanyama.
Fox is within the prime of his profession and is contemporary off a contract extension. This may enable the Spurs to convey Harper alongside slowly. If Fox have been to say no or when his contract is up, Harper can be ready within the wings to turn into San Antonio’s lead ball-handler.
