If the San Antonio Spurs aren’t as expensive at Dylan Harper as previously reported, the team can trade the second overall pick for one of these rebuilding teams.
The San Antonio Spurs are expected to see Dylan Harper second overall in the 2025 NBA Draft on all accounts. He is generally considered the second best prospect in the draft behind the Cooper Flag, with better head and shoulders than the rest of the class.
However, the Spurs already have two point guards at Steffon Castle and Daron Fox. Harper’s talent cannot be denied, but it’s unstable that suits the roster.
The 2025 draft class is deeper than most years, and there are plenty of other skilled players that the Spurs can add, but you can benefit from adding more assets.
If the Spurs decided to hand over Harper, three teams appeared as suitors as possible.
The Dallas Mavericks, Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers all already have talented, well-defined rosters, but will choose first, second and third after the shocking NBA Draft lottery.
The Six lacks true point guards, but boasts Tylece Maxey, Jared McCain, Joel Embiid and Paul George. Harper is simply a better facilitator, but they are linked to Ace Bailey and VJ Edge.com.
hoopshype’s Michael Scott reported that the Six will be “involved” in talks with the Spurs and will go up to the second overall pick.
The Sixers don’t have draft capital to save their third pick with a trade-up possibility. The Spurs will only return to one spot.
Complete mock trade details
- 76ers receive: No. 2 Overall Picks
- Spurs Received: 3rd Overall Pick, 2028 First Round Pick (Bia Lac)
With this deal, the Spurs can still add a young player with marquee that fits well next to Victor Wenbanyama, but will add yet another first-round pick in the year far from a team with a suspicious future.
Brooklyn Net had four first-round picks in the draft, selecting the eighth, the 19th, the 26th and the 27th. The net is in the midst of the youth movement and has expressed interest in trading ups, but they don’t want to give up on their respected eighth pick.
The only player in the net that the Spurs are craving is Wing Cameron Johnson, who upgrades both Devin Vassel and Harrison Burns.
The Spurs have a way to easily integrate him into the roster.
Complete mock trade details
- Net Reception: 2nd Overall Pick, Keldon Johnson
- Spurs Received: Cameron Johnson, No. 19 general picks, 2026 first round picks, 2028 first round picks
On the second pick, the net can land franchise players, but they have to spit out more assets than the Sixers as the Spurs return to the six spots.
Like the 8th and 14th picks and 19th innings, the Spurs are able to land the best young players.
The Spurs can land Johnson, one of the most sought after wings in recent trade rumours.
The Spurs needed fire, and in town alongside Wenbanyama, the castle and Jeremy So-chan, they built a defensive identity.
Herb Jones missed out a lot with a shoulder injury last season, but he’s poised to return to shape. The New Orleans Pelican allows Joe Dumar to take over the front office, so selling and rebuilding the fire is likely the most logical course.
Complete mock trade details
- Pelican is no. Keldon Johnson, the overall pick of 2
- Spur Recipient: Herb Jones, no. 7 General Picks, 2026 First Round Pick (via Ind)
Trey Murphy III is expected to order the value this offseason, but Zion Williamson has been struggling to maintain good health for a long time and has dealt with off-court accusations, so it appears he has not attracted interest.
Williamson is safe to say it doesn’t suit the Spurs culture, but Jones, who shot 40% from deep in his last full season while being selected for all defensive teams.
The move marks the Pelican’s hard reset, while also allowing the Spurs to win a competing roster for the first time in Wenbagnama’s younger career.