The slow rise of Dylan Harper could define the Spurs’ next era

Dylan Harper is one of the most intriguing prospects in Spurs history. His unique skill set made it hard for the Spurs to pass on him last April, even though their void at guard was fading after De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle formed a solid duo last season.

Fast forward five months, and Harper is still recovering from his thumb injury in early September.

During Spurs media day, Harper let it be known that he is working towards getting back to full health and that team doctors are just as determined to get him back on the floor. The hope is that he is unleashed no later than a week after the regular season starts on October 22, but he still has a chance to start the year without missing any action.

However, thumb surgery is a serious matter, particularly for an ultra-athletic player like Harper. Despite the concerns surrounding his injury status, there are still high expectations for the former Scarlet Knight.

Dylan Harper could be the final piece of the puzzle for the Spurs

NBA teams that have a solid trio of players typically distinguish themselves, and the Spurs could be on the brink of creating their next big three.

Wembanyama and Castle's potential is already evident, and the possibilities for both players are limitless. Meanwhile, Harper, who shares a similar skill set with Castle in some respects, can still contribute uniquely to this franchise. He might be the missing piece needed for a Spurs championship run.

The Spurs have never had a player quite like Harper. He is a genuine playmaker who plays with power and physicality, scoring effectively at all three levels. Harper can significantly impact various aspects of the game. He is the ideal counterpart for a player like Wemby, who will be in attack mode right from the start of this season.

A long road ahead

No team in NBA history has ever had a Rookie of the Year winner in three consecutive years, and the Spurs have a chance to make history. The harsh reality, though, is that Harper will face many challenges at the start of the year, particularly in earning playing time.

In 2025, the Spurs have a guard-heavy roster, and behind Fox and Castle, players like Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson will likely get more opportunities than Harper to start the season.

Harper simply will not have the luxury of what Wemby and Castle, especially, had in their rookie seasons. Last year, veteran Chris Paul, now a Clipper, was a key mentor to Steph and guided him in his first season.

Castle is great, but credit Paul for how quickly he adjusted to the game. Harper will not get that opportunity. Not to say his teammates or ex-Spurs will not try and help him as a rookie, but simply put, D. Harp is facing many challenges in his first season.

That is not to say Harper cannot and will not carve out his own path, but the presence of an NBA veteran can really benefit a young star like Harper.

He is a Spur for a reason

If fans want to be optimistic, however, they can look at Coach Mitch Johnson's tendency to use various lineups during games. This flexibility could provide opportunities for Harper, who can make a significant impact on the game.

Harper is an ideal plug-and-play player, making him well-suited for a rookie still finding his footing. Seemingly, it really is a wait-and-see type of situation, but he is doing the best he can to get in shape for the season.

This season can go one of two ways for Harper. He could mirror Wemby in 2023 and Castle in 2024 with fantastic rookie seasons and put together a 14-point, 4-assist kind of stat-line. Or, he could be a useful role player and be that spark off the bench, and bring an equally important aspect to the team. Regardless, the number two pick is in San Antonio for a reason. He is a part of their future plans.

The most important thing for Harper right now is to recover and regain full health. With many injury concerns affecting the Spurs team at this critical time, Harper's availability is crucial.