Dylan Harper's offensive leap will create favorable matchups for backcourt mates

Dylan Harper's ascendance on the offensive end won't just help him collect individual accolades in his second season; it will also make life easier for teammates. When he shares the court with De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, he can occupy the best point-of-attack defender, freeing them up for simpler scoring opportunities.

Harper already seems like the San Antonio Spurs' second-best offensive player heading into the season. When he isn't finishing in the paint with snazzy layups or explosive dunks, he's using pump fakes and pivots to get opponents in the air and make space for floaters. He also has good touch in the mid-range and is improving as a long-distance shooter.

This season, he'll be matched up with the best perimeter defenders almost every night if opponents know what's good for them, which will make Fox and Castle's jobs as additional shot creators and ball-handlers much easier.

Harper is about to prove why the three-guard lineup is so dangerous

If Harper makes the All-Star leap many of us expect, opposing coaches will have no choice but to put their top point-of-attack defenders on him. It's the only viable strategy to keep him from getting to the rim as easily or creating space off the dribble for jumpers.

This means the Spurs' other two guards will deal with relatively weaker perimeter stoppers, and they can take advantage. Fox's lightning-quick first step and deadly mid-range jumper will torch secondary defenders, while Castle can use his physicality and footwork to get downhill and finish at the basket.

That's the benefit of having three elite ball-handlers on the floor at the same time: it's much more difficult for opponents to cover each guard one-on-one. While Harper attracts the best point-of-attack stopper, Castle and Fox can inflict damage on weaker matchups. Hiding below-average perimeter defenders is virtually impossible against this setup.

This is especially important for Stephon Castle

Castle took on a pretty heavy load during his second season. While he played at an elite level, he still faced off against some physical perimeter defenders who guarded him tightly, even pressing him full court at times. This was a big reason why he struggled with turnovers during the 2025-26 campaign.

That could change this season. As he spends more time on the floor with Harper, opposing coaches will feel less confident pressing him with their top perimeter defender, which will help him cut down on those giveaways. This also allows the Spurs to set up their offense much better on possessions where he brings the ball upcourt.

Harper's growth will elevate the Spurs, especially his backcourt mates, by giving them more favorable matchups on the offensive end. That isn't to suggest they won't face off against some good perimeter defenders, but it gives them a much better chance at finding their rhythm.

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