Similar to another top-three lottery team, the Philadelphia 76ers, the San Antonio Spurs had an amazing 2025 NBA Draft. They selected Dylan Harper second overall and Carter Bryant with the 14th pick. Both have excellent potential to be major pieces in San Antonio’s future and be essential parts of their core. Let’s delve into one question for each Spurs rookie as they begin to participate in Summer League.
2025 NBA Summer League: 1 Question For Each Spurs Rookie
Dylan Harper
Question: Can Harper continue his hyper efficiency at the rim against NBA-level talent?
Undoubtedly, Harper can be a major cornerstone for the Spurs as the long-term running mate next to Victor Wembanyama. Given his excellent finishing abilities and his impressive playmaking skills, he has the capability of being the lead guard of the future in a backcourt next to Stephon Castle. Harper is unquestionably the second-best prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft, and San Antonio made the right choice in taking him. His abilities and skill set will provide the Spurs with elite rim pressure and open opportunities.
Harper hasn’t participated in the California Classic, but will have the chance to show his worth in the Las Vegas Summer League. The big question for the guard is whether or not he can continue to be a hyper-efficient rim finisher in an NBA context. In particular, Harper was an extremely efficient finisher at the rim in college, shooting 70%. He largely created his own shots at the rim, and that efficiency would be very impressive for a center. Considering that, Summer League will be his first test to see whether he can maintain his efficiency. Harper is so highly touted due to that ability, and losing that effectiveness can make his NBA transition difficult.
Carter Bryant
Question: Can Bryant flash more scoring and shooting potential with the ball in his hands?
While it is unlikely that Bryant will ever become a star, he can still be a valuable player for San Antonio. In particular, his archetype as a 3-and-D wing makes him a useful player next to Wembanyama and Harper. His impressive defensive skills and three-point shooting will create a formidable frontcourt next to the French big. Bryant has already played in his first Summer League action in the California Classic. Against the Miami Heat, he showcased his ability to stretch the floor and knock down shots. He is the exact type of player the Spurs need moving forward.
Bryant also flashed some shot-making off the bounce. That raises the question of whether he can display more scoring and shooting upside with the ball in his hands. To be sure, the guard will mainly play an off-ball, catch-and-shoot role in the NBA. However, Bryant flashing more offensive potential with the ball allows him the upside to be a more versatile offensive piece. Playing in Summer League allows him to be utilized more on the ball, revealing more upside as a player. The experimentation with him in Vegas can go a long way in terms of his ceiling offensively.
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