The NBA Draft Lottery is still generating buzz — particularly around the top three picks. The league faces tough questions after the Dallas Mavericks landed the No. 1 overall pick, a result that raised plenty of eyebrows. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards, both of whom leaned heavily into tanking, shockingly missed out on a top-three selection.
Despite the disappointment for those teams, the Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, and Philadelphia 76ers emerged as the big winners of the lottery, securing the top three picks in the upcoming draft.
With the draft drawing closer, the biggest question now is: who goes after Cooper Flagg at No. 1? While several names are in the mix, many experts are already penciling in one prospect as the clear No. 2 choice for San Antonio.
The Spurs Seem Poised to Draft Rutgers Guard Dylan Harper
ESPN analyst Jonathan Givony discussed the Spurs’ mindset heading into the draft, noting they appear set on keeping the No. 2 pick and selecting dynamic Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, who has impressed scouts throughout the draft combine.
Despite speculation that Harper’s Rutgers teammate could overtake him, Givony expressed strong confidence that Harper will ultimately be the pick at No. 2.
“Dylan Harper is going to be the no. 2 pick in the draft. I am 99.9% sure about it. He looked also really, really good, he tested very well, shot it well, his body is in a great place, he’s lost 15 pounds in the last year.”
Givony continued more into the Spurs’ thought process on selecting Harper, leaning into a potential three-guard lineup with Harper next to their superstar De’Aaron Fox and the reigning Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle.
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“They are not pursuing trades from what we’re hearing. They think that they can play Harper together with Steph Castle and De’Aaron Fox in the same backcourt.”
A three-guard lineup has not been very effective in recent memory (Steve Kerr would beg to differ), but with the level of talent on San Antonio, perhaps it would be worth a shot.
Will San Antonio Make the Playoffs?
If the Spurs draft Dylan Harper and keep Castle, Fox, and Wembanyama together, they could be a rising force in the Western Conference. With that much young talent and potential, the foundation is in place for something special. A run at a top-six seed isn’t out of the question if things click.
Can the Spurs make the playoffs with this core? Based on what we saw last season, it’s certainly within reach. With the right development and leadership, this group has a chance to take a big step forward — the ceiling is high.
