Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) brings the ball up court against the New York Knicks during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) brings the ball up court against the New York Knicks during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The San Antonio Spurs are one of the NBA’s most elite teams in the West. Led by Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs are coming off their first Finals appearance since 2014, and many would say they only got better after the addition of Tobias Harris.
At point guard, De’Aaron Fox was supposed to be Victor’s primary running mate, but the ascension of Dylan Harper has put everything into question. Yet, even amid reports of friction between the teammates, Harper says it’s all love and respect in that locker room.
“I mean, I feel like what’s understood doesn’t need to be explained. I mean, Fox basically took me under his wing my whole first year and helped me and allowed me to grow in this space,” said Harper in a chat with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. “And my thing is, me and him never had a problem. Like, I’ve never seen a problem playing with two to three ball-handlers on the floor. Everyone last year said that it was not going to work, this, that, and the third, but I think it worked pretty fine this year. I think we exceeded expectations a lot.”
“So, I mean… for me, all I care about is doing what’s best for the team and winning, and he is a big factor, and he’s a big piece in us winning now and in the future. So, I don’t have anything bad to ever say about him because, at the end of the day, he’s taught me so much. And he’s taught me so much about the league and how to grind and just… take control of the game. And it’s like… it’s little things, like I’m close with him… every time I see his son, every time I see his family, like, we’re all super close. So it’s like me and him have a great relationship where it’s like, that’s kind of my—I joke with him all the time, it’s kind of my uncle. He kind of like—he just teaches me things that I don’t think anyone else who hasn’t been in his position could teach me.”
The Spurs traded for Fox in February of 2025, nearly six months before Harper was drafted. He showed promise as Victor’s running mate, averaging 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 46.3% shooting that season. In the end, however, the Spurs finished 13th in the West at 34-48.
Last season was the Spurs’ big breakout moment, and Dylan Harper was one of the major storylines as he showed signs of stardom. His play was especially critical in the playoffs, where his performance made up for Fox’s struggles. Today, while some fans question the fit, Harper isn’t trying to sow division with his teammate, and he has no doubt that the Spurs’ backcourt of him, Fox, and Stephon Castle can compete with the best of them. The key, he says, is their ability to play both ends of the court.
“I think what’s so special is that we’re three dominant guards, but we both—we all play both sides of the ball,” Harper added. “And I feel like there’s 6’3″, 6′ 5″ and 6 ‘6″. Me and Steph can guard 1 through 3, 1 through 4. So, I mean, I feel like there hasn’t been a team like us assembled where we all—like, we all play both sides of the ball, and we’re unselfish all the time.”
With averages of 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 50.5% shooting in 2025-26, Harper’s numbers are relatively modest on paper, but he’s the kind of player whose impact goes way beyond the stat sheet. As a capable scorer, elite ball handler, and strong perimeter defender, Harper will play a role in deciding the Spurs’ future, and his best is yet to come.
So, before teams start considering a deal for Fox, Harper, or any other Spurs guard, they should know that the plan right now is to keep riding with this core. In their short time together, the Spurs have proven they have what it takes to win, and another leap by Harper could be the final ingredient needed for overwhelming success.