The number two pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, Dylan Harper, had a short but competitive message to number one pick Cooper Flagg after he was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs.
The first two picks of the NBA Draft went as many expected. The projected generational talent of the draft, Cooper Flagg, went first overall to the Dallas Mavericks, followed quickly by Dylan Harper to the San Antonio Spurs.
The pair were clearly the two best players in this year’s draft, and may be compared all season long in the Rookie of the Year race. When he was selected, Harper had some words for Flagg.
Dylan Harper reminds Cooper Flagg that they were drafted to divisional rivals
When Flagg came over to congratulate Harper, after their embrace, Harper said, “We’re in the same state now!”
With Flagg going to Dallas and Harper to San Antonio, they will play in the same division in the NBA. The pair will face off four times per season in what are set to be highly anticipated matchups.
Harper wasn’t the top-ranked talent in the NBA Draft, but with his sky-high potential and elite teammates, including Victor Wembanyama, he is well-positioned to have a successful first season in the league.
While Flagg is projected to be the far better NBA player in the coming years, and maybe one of the NBA’s all-time greats, sometimes NBA Draft stars don’t meet their potential, so expect Harper to come for his crown during their rookie seasons.
Dylan Harper and Victor Wembanyama are ready to make waves with the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is a phenomenal landing spot for Harper. He is blessed with a top-tier talent in Victor Wembanyama as a teammate, who is entering his third season in the league and has playoff expectations on his shoulders.
The Frenchman, who won the 2023 Rookie of the Year award, scored 24.3 points per game last season before sitting out the second half of the year through injury. His play hasn’t translated into wins as of yet, but with the cast the Spurs have built around him, it seems like a matter of time.
The Spurs have had the Rookie of the Year on their roster for two years running, following the emergence of Stephon Castle last year.
They added All-Star De’Aaron Fox midseason, and now with Harper entering their ranks, there are high expectations on the Texas-based team going into next season.