Spurs got the number one overall pick without winning the lottery

The San Antonio Spurs moved up in the lottery to select Dylan Harper with the second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but he would have been the top selection if Cooper Flagg hadn’t have reclassified. The eventual top pick was supposed to graduate from high school this year before he changed classes in 2023 to be draft-eligible in 2025. It made Flagg the top prospect, but it doesn’t change the fact that Harper would have held that title without the uncommon move.

Harper is already showing Spurs fans why he’s special. The 6’6 guard can play on or off the ball. He is a stout defender, tough shot maker, and budding creator. His versatility will shine in San Antonio next to Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs have arguably the brightest future in the NBA behind only the defending champion Thunder.

Harper could be a yearly All-Star and the best player in this draft class. He was the top prospect before Flagg joined and has done nothing to dampen his stock. Winning multiple championships could be enough to push him ahead, even if both turn into superstars.

The Spurs got a number one overall pick in Dylan Harper

NBA teams dream of winning the lottery and landing a young superstar to build around. The Spurs have done it three times and came away with David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Victor Wembanyama. 2025 won’t count as the fourth, but the Spurs getting more luck to move up to two was enough. They selected another elite young talent and could be building their next dynasty.

The Spurs are in prime position. They have Wemby, Stephon Castle, and Harper on rookie contracts with several mid-tier salaries and draft picks to use in trades. San Antonio could acquire the next superstar who becomes available or build this out organically around their young talent. They will be a force again quickly and have the flexibility to add whatever pieces are necessary.

The 2025 draft class features multiple potential stars. Dylan Harper could be the best of them, especially after landing with the Spurs. San Antonio is elite at developing talent and already has a superstar big man to make his life easier. Add in Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, and fans are dreaming of the San Antonio Spurs' young core becoming this decades version of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.

There is plenty to be excited about in the Alamo. The Spurs just got another number one pick to add to their core. It doesn’t matter that Dylan Harper wasn’t the first overall selection. The franchise got a star with massive upside. That is the goal of landing the top pick. Harper qualifies whether he went first or not.