Dylan Harper reality even the Spurs don't want to admit to save De'Aaron Fox

The San Antonio Spurs are refusing to admit that Dylan Harper is already better than De’Aaron Fox, with the latest reports that the veteran point guard is expected to start. The franchise believes in the two-time All-Star, but Harper is the present and future. The 20-year-old earned the starting nod with his play in the NBA Finals and will only improve. San Antonio is worrying about money and pride over maximizing success.

Fox is in his prime and remains an elite contributor. This is no knock against him. He deserved more accolades during his time with the Sacramento Kings, but the team’s struggles prevented that from happening. This has nothing to do with Fox, and everything to do with maximizing the present and future potential of a budding dynasty.

Fox is ready to prove that an ankle injury limited him in the NBA Finals. He has a ton of motivation after the Spurs came up just short of a championship, but that doesn’t change the fact that Harper is the better option. The second-year guard is bigger, a better shooter, and has the potential to grow into one of the top 20 players in the league. The Spurs shouldn’t worry about Fox’s feelings. The focus should be on maximizing their wins with Victor Wembanyama.

Spurs don’t want to admit Dylan Harper is already better than De’Aaron Fox

Michael C. Wright’s report does say that head coach Mitch Johnson will make the final call on who starts and notes the Spurs could try a three-guard lineup. That isn’t the answer. Stephon Castle and Fox are below league-average 3-point shooters. Putting them next to Harper takes away some of the second-year guard’s size advantage and limits his possessions with the ball.

Harper should be given the keys. He is already better than Fox, but there will be some mistakes. The Spurs need to live with them. Those mistakes will help the 20-year-old blossom from a top 50 player into a top-20 option.

Wemby is 22. The Spurs could be the best team in the NBA for the next decade. That gets more likely if they let Harper become Wembanyama’s co-star over trying to force-fit Fox in there.

Fox is just starting a four-year, $221.7 million contract, but the money is a sunk cost. The Spurs agreed to pay it. If other teams aren’t willing to give up significant value to trade for Fox, San Antonio should keep him, but they need to recognize the current hierarchy.

Castle is currently the best guard on their roster. Harper is the second-best and has the highest ceiling. Fox is number three in that pecking order. The two-time All-Star can dominate bench units and earn a place in the closing lineup on nights where he has it going. Harper being a better shooter gives the starting group more offensive balance and makes the Spurs more dangerous.

Spurs should put winning over everything

San Antonio can’t worry about feelings. Fox forced his way to the Spurs. He clearly wants to be here and knows it is a special opportunity to win. Harper has passed him. That is no fault of anyone’s. The Spurs must put winning over everything else. Harper gives them the best shot, so he should start and play more than Fox.

The Ringer’s top 100 ranked Harper over Fox after last season. The 20-year-old has significant room to grow, whereas the 28-year-old is what he is at this point. Fox is one of the ten best point guards in the NBA, but Harper is ahead of him.

This is a great problem to have. The Spurs have too many talented guards and only two starting spots. San Antonio is prioritizing the veteran, but that is lowering their current and future ceiling.

Harper could be a top 20 player by year three if the Spurs take the training wheels off. He can’t be playing the 22.6 minutes per game he got last season. Harper should play 30-plus every night and be the preferred option over Fox.

The San Antonio Spurs are dangerous close to winning a championship. They will need Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox to make that a reality. Getting the second-year guard just that much better could be the difference. He needs reps to reach those heights, which should make Mitch Johnson’s decision easy.

The Spurs must stop worrying about the money and Fox’s feelings. It is time to go with Harper. He is the better option. The organization doesn’t want to admit that, but fans know the reality. It is time to get on board and maximize Harper because that is the path to building a dynasty.

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