Dylan Harper is aware that he isn't getting the playing time of most second-overall picks, but as he finds team success, he isn't too worried about getting a chance to shine.
By all accounts, the San Antonio Spurs landed the second-best player in the 2025 NBA Draft. Touted as one of the more complete guard prospects in recent memory, Dylan Harper was and still is expected to take over as the floor general for the Spurs.
However, with Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox currently more talented, there is a logjam in the backcourt, and Harper is on the bench.
Harper has emerged as one of the best Sixth Men in the NBA, although most high lottery picks aren't content with leading the second unit. Harper plays fewer minutes than any other top-nine draft pick, and his Rookie of the Year case took a massive hit thanks to his more limited playing time.
Smaller Role Doesn't Bother Dylan Harper
While Harper may play fewer minutes than his peers, he is the only top-nine pick on a title contender, and only VJ Edgecombe and Collin Murray-Boyles are on teams over .500.
After starring for a lackluster Rutgers team in college, Harper is just happy to be playing and winning basketball.
"They came out right when the season started running and going," he said of fellow rookies Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. "So, I mean, they're obviously doing a great job."
Harper is using his rivals' success as motivation.
"Just looking at stuff like that and looking around the league, I mean, obviously makes me and everyone else hungrier," he added. "But I think just not comparing myself to anyone and just kind of running my own race, because I think we're all in different situations, you know, I'm blessed to be in this one."
As Harper gets more experience and plays actually meaningful basketball, he is still expected to emerge as a top player from his draft class. He's making the most of the 22 minutes he gets per game, averaging 11.2 points and 3.7 assists, already playing like one of the best backup point guards in the league.
Over the next few seasons, fans can expect him to shed the "backup" title.