The San Antonio Spurs might be at a crossroads with standout rookie Dylan Harper.
Despite being the No. 2 pick from last year's draft, Harper only made four starts for the Spurs. The Rutgers product averaged 11.8 points and 3.9 assists per game during the regular season. He then elevated his game in the biggest moments, averaging 18.0 points per contest in the NBA Finals.
After the New York Knicks closed out the Finals with a Game 5 win in San Antonio, veteran swingman Devin Vassell revealed that Harper wasn't thrilled with his role throughout the 2025-26 season.
"He was upset with playing time and different roles he was in, but when we needed him most, he stepped up," Vassell told reporters. "We have a star in the making. I know that he’s gonna put so much work in the offseason."
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On June 19, ESPN's Michael C. Wright suggested that Harper's camp could put pressure on San Antonio's coaching staff in an effort to get him in the starting lineup.
"It's expected that calls from Harper's camp for a spot in the starting lineup will grow louder going into next season," Wright said.
The Spurs may have to bench their highest-paid player.
If the Spurs are going to elevate Harper to the starting lineup, De'Aaron Fox may have to go to the bench. That could be a problem considering he signed a four-year, $229 million contract extension with the team last summer.
"Internally, the Spurs remain committed to Fox as their franchise starting point guard," Wright said. "Sources called Fox a calming presence and the team's closer for most of the season, adding that one rough series essentially playing on one leg doesn't change that."
It certainly doesn't help that Fox struggled in the Finals, averaging 12.8 points per game on 34.3% shooting from the field.
We'll see if the Spurs demote Fox to make room for Harper's undeniable ascension.
