Will Dylan Harper be able to live up to the expectations after potentially being drafted with the second pick in the 2025 NBA Draft? It is already clear that Cooper Flagg is the best player with the highest ceiling from the upcoming draft class and will be selected with the first pick by the Dallas Mavericks.
Although there is still time for last-minute trades and opinions to sway the San Antonio Spurs, the organization is expected to select Harper with the second pick. Adding the 6’5″ guard to their roster might help the Spurs improve heading into next season. However, reports on Harper and his future in the league are not completely one-directional.
Dylan Harper Needs To Work on His Shooting and Speed
Harper is the son of former NBA star Ron Harper and already has the “bloodline talent” to become a star in the league. He averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists during his freshman season with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Harper is also reported to have a 6’10 1/2″ wingspan, indicating that he will be able to guard some of the best stars in the league effectively.
The 19-year-old has already earned praise from scouts for being “big and strong and coordinated” with the ability to run at the rim and get into the paint to score with ease. However, a report from The Athletic included a few comments made by an anonymous Western Conference executive, revealing certain flaws in Harper’s game.
“Obviously, like the size for the position. I think he’s going to have to be more of the Cade type. He doesn’t have that elite burst. His thing is he’s big and strong. He’s got to use that to his advantage. His shooting has to get better. But he’s got an understanding and a feel. What I struggle most with is, you have him and Ace Bailey, who are quote-unquote top five players in this draft, and you couldn’t post a winning record in college and in the Big Ten.”
The executive concluded, “That’s concerning to me. What’s missing there? That’s a little bit of an issue to me, how much he can impact winning. But I can’t put it all on his shoulders. For me, when you’re drafting that high, you’re looking for somebody who could impact winning. Cade didn’t have a great team with him at Oklahoma State, but they went to the NCAA Tournament.”
Since Harper could not help the Rutgers Scarlet Knights make a deep push in the NCAA Tournament despite putting up impressive stats in his freshman season, opinions surrounding his potential impact on an NBA team are divided.
In any case, Harper will have ample time to work on his shooting and speed. De’Aaron Fox is considered by many to be one of the fastest guards in the league with an “elite burst.” If anyone can help Harper grow and work on his flaws, it would be the Spurs’ current point guard. Fans are left wondering what Harper will be able to accomplish next season.
