Dylan Harper is playing well above expectations in the 2026 NBA playoffs, and he's earned comparisons to one of the best NBA players of all time.
Most of the praise offered to the San Antonio Spurs is directed at Victor Wembanyama. After all, he is easily the best player on the roster and has emerged as the best player in the world during this playoff run, although he is far from their biggest star.
As fans and the media turn their focus to the 2026 NBA Draft, questions have emerged: Would you rather have Cooper Flagg or the top pick in 2026? Would you rather have Wembanyama or the top three picks in 2026?
And, recently, would you rather have Dylan Harper or the top pick in 2026?
After his playoff breakout, Harper seems to be the better option.
Dylan Harper Compared to Kobe Bryant
In the regular season, Harper averaged 11.8 points and 3.9 assists while gradually improving his offensive efficiency. He finished the year with votes for both Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year.
In the playoffs, his production has boomed to 13.6 points per game, and his efficiency all over the floor has improved. He is an engaging defender, an excellent slasher, and a competent shooter, and there is an argument that the Spurs are better when he's on the floor and De'Aaron Fox sits. Keep in mind, Fox was an All-Star this season.
"In the playoffs, the stuff he's doing is like year three/year four Kobe, where he's just coming in and changing the flow of these games," said The Ringer's Bill Simmons.
"He shouldn't be doing this yet. You shouldn't look this comfortable. You shouldn't be a two-way player already. You shouldn't be coming to games and swinging games like he's doing. And I don't say this lightly, like having Harper and Wemby back to back...We saw this when the Celtics added McHale, and they had Bird. We saw this when the Lakers added Worthy after they had Magic. And we saw it when the Bulls had MJ, and then they were able to get Pippen."
In his third and fourth seasons in the league, Kobe Bryant made two All-NBA teams and averaged 21.4 points. In the postseason during those years, he was easily the second-best player on the roster, behind Shaquille O'Neal, and the Lakers won their first of three straight titles.
Spurs' fans would probably prefer Harper to be compared to Manu Ginobili, another left-handed combo guard, but Harper's ceiling as an all-time great has been defined.
Add in Stephon Castle, who is elite in his own right, and the Spurs have by far the best future of any team in the NBA.