Lucky draft lottery development presents Spurs with special opportunity

Spurs fans should remain calm after missing out on Flagg.
ByNathan Rogers|
Mar 9, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) slap hands with fans after the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Mar 9, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) slap hands with fans after the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Spurs missed out on Cooper Flagg by just an inch, but despite the tough loss, exciting times await. Namely, the consensus second overall prospect, Rutgers' point guard Dylan Harper, is in the forefront. Still, is this the right decision for General Manager Brian Wright and his team?

Harper is a tantalizing young star who dominated in his lone season at Rutgers. He has all of the tools to be a franchise-altering guard and should have plenty of All-Star nominations to his name by the end of it. However, as the Spurs hold the 2nd pick, Harper's fit alongside De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle is odd.

Both Fox and Harper are ball-dominant guards and would be best suited with the ball in their hands at all times. Because of this, if the two were paired together, Head Coach Mitch Johnson wouldn't be able to maximize their respective elite abilities.

Additionally, the addition of Harper would likely send the reigning Rookie of the Year to the bench, a spot he earned his way out of this past season.

If Harper won't work out, who's next?

While Harper remains the clear second-best option after Cooper Flagg, there remains a pair of exciting prospects. The first being Harper's college teammate, Ace Bailey.

The 6'10" 18-year-old projects as a power forward in the NBA and excels at shot-creating. Bailey has a rare talent to create looks of the dribble and knock down the three-ball for a player of his stature.

Harrison Barnes currently occupies the fourth spot in the Spurs' starting lineup, so Bailey would be a significant upgrade. Wright will likely be looking for perimeter shooting this offseason, making Bailey an excellent step in the right direction.

Next is Baylor product V.J. Edgecomb. While Edgecomb may not be as polished as the prior three, his upside is through the roof. He is an athletic freak of nature and has the perfect NBA build at 6'5". Edgecomb can easily get to the basket with a quick first step and throw it down with power.

However, like Harper, Edgecomb projects as a shooting guard and would create yet another awkward fit into the Spurs' rotation. Additionally, Edgecomb isn't the shooter Mitch Johnson should want to assist his stars, so this may not be the best route either.

The Spurs should consider a trade down

With confusion bogging the decision at number two, there is one avenue left: a trade down.

As the Spurs look to stockpile assets for a superstar trade, this would be an excellent way to start. It's still unknown whether Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo would be available for trade, but a trade down could help sweeten the offer even more.

With this in mind, there are a few notable candidates for a trade down. Following the absurd lottery results, any of the biggest losers—the Wizards, Jazz, and Pelicans—will be sprinting to the table to get their guy. Specifically, the Jazz and Wizards are in a major star crunch and would sell the farm to get an ascending star into the building.

Furthermore, the Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors have a surplus of assets that would be tough to pass up if you are the Spurs.

In the end, there are so many different ways that Wright can go with the 2nd overall pick. He can stick and pick the best player available in Harper, opt to get a forward in Ace Bailey, or sell high on the immense value of the pick. No matter what, draft season will be a blast, leaving the Spurs walking out as winners.