Spurs Draft Dylan Harper at No. 2: Eyeing Third Straight Rookie of the Year

The San Antonio Spurs are building something serious. Again.

With the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft, they picked Rutgers guard Dylan Harper. It’s the kind of move that turns heads, not just because of Harper’s talent, but because the Spurs now have three top-four picks in three straight drafts. That’s not by accident.

Just last year, they took Stephon Castle at No. 4. He went on to win Rookie of the Year. Before that, it was Victor Wembanyama. The French unicorn. Also a Rookie of the Year. That’s back-to-back. Now, with Harper, San Antonio is eyeing the three-peat.

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Harper fits the energy

Dylan Harper isn’t the loudest player in the room. But he’s confident. After being drafted, he told ESPN he’s ready to contribute right away.

“They got a great young core over there,” Harper said. “I’m just ready to get in there and make an impact anywhere I can with those guys.”

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That’s the kind of attitude that fits San Antonio’s system. Quiet confidence. Team-first mindset. And the ability to adapt.

Harper can score, pass, defend, and finish through contact. He’s 6-foot-6 with solid length and isn’t limited to one role. That’s key. The Spurs are clearly leaning toward positionless basketball. You don’t have to be a point guard or a shooting guard anymore. You just have to hoop.

Not about needs

San Antonio didn’t care if the fit seemed odd on paper. They already have Castle. They just traded for De’Aaron Fox. But the Spurs don’t draft based on old-school depth charts. They draft talent and let it work itself out. The system matters more than the position.

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Harper’s skill set brings a new layer. He applies rim pressure. That’s huge for a team built around Wembanyama. If defenders collapse on Harper, Wemby gets clean looks. If they don’t, Harper finishes strong at the cup.

And don’t sleep on his playmaking. At Rutgers, Harper showed he could handle the ball and make reads off the dribble. He’s not just a scorer.

Spurs keeping it balanced

San Antonio had another first-round pick at No. 14. They used it on Carter Bryant from Arizona. Athletic. Bouncy. A solid 3-and-D forward. He blocked 37 shots last year and shot over 37% from three. That’s what modern wings need to do. Defend and space.

The Spurs could’ve gone with a traditional big to support Wembanyama. But they stuck with their draft identity. They want guys who can defend multiple positions and shoot when it counts.

Harper adds more than stats

There’s something else about Harper. He’s a tone-setter.

“I think all my life it’s always been how can I go somewhere where you make something happen and obviously get to the championship,” he said.

That’s not just talk. He mentioned how the Spurs have it all figured out. From the front office to the video guy. That’s rare for a rookie to notice. But it tells you how plugged in he already is.

He’s walking into a place that already has a rising star in Wembanyama. Add Castle. Now Harper. You’ve got a trio of young players who each bring different strengths but can blend together.

And while this was the first draft in nearly 30 years without Gregg Popovich on the sidelines, his fingerprints were still all over it. He’s not coaching anymore, but he’s involved. Deeply. Especially in the draft process. He wants guys who can play both ends, make smart decisions, and hit open shots.

Smart moves all around

Aside from the two big picks, the Spurs also made a smaller trade. They sent the No. 38 pick to Indiana in exchange for a future second-round pick and some cash. Simple move. Nothing flashy. But it adds flexibility down the road.

It’s clear San Antonio is building with purpose. Not just collecting names. They’re thinking two steps ahead. The roster is getting younger, faster, and more versatile. Dylan Harper fits right in with that plan.

The Spurs may not be title-ready today. But the pieces are being locked in. And Harper might just be the next Rookie of the Year if things fall into place.