This NBA offseason has been filled with blockbuster moves and bold speculation. The biggest headline, of course, was Kevin Durant’s trade from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets.
The San Antonio Spurs, who were early favorites to get Durant, created quite the buzz by not making that move. Instead, they focused on keeping their important draft picks and going after Dylan Harper, a star player from Rutgers. Now, one college basketball expert believes that passing on a trade for Durant in favor of building through the 2025 NBA draft might be the Spurs’ masterstroke.
Why Dylan Harper Could Be a Bigger Long-Term Win for Spurs Than Kevin Durant
The main deal-breaker was the No. 2 draft pick. If the Spurs had taken the two-time NBA champion, they would have had to give up that pick to the Suns, allowing Phoenix to rebuild its team.
But we all know that by this September, Durant will turn 37. So, there’s no way he could be a part of the Spurs’ long-term plans. That’s why the CBB expert believes head coach Mitch Johnson will use the pick to select Harper, which could help shape the team’s future for the next decade.
“The San Antonio Spurs have outsmarted the NBA once again,” the expert said. “Instead of going out and going after a 37-year-old Kevin Durant, which, yes, it would make their championship window right now–it would also make it a little bit weird going forward because your young superstar Victor Wembanyama is just 21 years old.”
Notably, the Spurs were one of Durant’s favorites, but they never made a formal offer. Reliable reports say they consider Harper a key player who can develop alongside Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. From the beginning, they have been committed to a long-term future, not a short-term plan for Durant.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound point guard averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game as a freshman at Rutgers, shooting 48.4% from the field and 33.3% from three. His blend of size, shot creation, and two-handed finishing has led many to compare him to stars like Cade Cunningham and Jalen Williams.
“Go ahead and take Dylan Harper,” the expert continued. “The 6’6″, 215-lb point guard out of Rutgers… averaged almost 20 a game last year with close to five boards, four assists in 32 minutes, and he shot 48% from the field.”
While Harper’s three-point shooting remains a work in progress, his ability to pressure the rim and create for others makes him a high-upside pick. “He is fantastic going left, fantastic going right… He’s an ambidextrous finisher,” the expert noted.
Reflecting on Spurs’ long-term vision, he added, “This looks like a future dynasty if they play their cards right–one that can rival the Thunder for the next 10 to 15 years,” the expert said. “While yes, having Kevin Durant on this team would be cool and all, I don’t really think it’s necessary.”
With Wembanyama entering his third season and the Spurs holding two lottery picks (Nos. 2 and 14), the franchise is positioned to build a sustainable title contender. As ESPN reports, they are focused on “building brick by brick,” resisting the temptation to trade away youth for short-term gain.
The main attraction of the off-season for me was going too be drafting Dylan harper not mad about KD At all Dylan harper at 2 and will have some good players on the board at 14 no need too overreact spurs nation.
— A Roy ⚪️ (@BlackhawkAaron) June 22, 2025
Durant may still be one of the league’s most efficient scorers, as he averaged 26.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists last season. But the expert explained, “This lineup would be fun… for about a year, maybe two max. And are you really going to win a championship in the next couple years? I don’t think your bench is deep enough.”
So the franchise isn’t rushing. They’ve chosen to bet on patience, player development, and a dynamic young backcourt. Now, everything hinges on the Rutgers standout. If Harper lives up to the hype, every decision to pass on Durant will be more than justified.