If the San Antonio Spurs aren’t as high on Dylan Harper as previously reported, the team could trade the second overall pick to one of these rebuilding teams.
The San Antonio Spurs, by all accounts, are expected to take Dylan Harper second overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. He is generally considered the second-best prospect in the draft behind Cooper Flagg, and is head and shoulders better than the rest of the class.
However, the Spurs already have two point guards in Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox, and while Harper’s talents are undeniable, his fit on the roster could be wonky.
The 2025 draft class is deeper than most years, and there are plenty of other skilled players the Spurs could add, although they would benefit from trading back and adding even more assets.
If the Spurs do decide to pass on Harper, three teams have emerged as possible suitors to trade up.
The Dallas Mavericks, Spurs, and Philadelphia 76ers all already have talented, well-defined rosters, although they will select first, second, and third after a shocking NBA Draft lottery.
The Sixers boast Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Joel Embiid, and Paul George, although they lack a true point guard. They have been linked to Ace Bailey and VJ Edgecombe, although Harper is simply a better facilitator.
HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that the Sixers have “engaged” in talks with the Spurs to move up to the second overall pick.
The Sixers do not have the draft capital to save their third pick in a possible trade up, and the Spurs would move back only one spot.
Full Mock Trade Details
- 76ers receive: No. 2 overall pick
- Spurs receive: No. 3 overall pick, 2028 first-round pick (via LAC)
In this deal, the Spurs still get to add a marquee young player, one who possibly fits better next to Victor Wembanyama, while adding yet another first-round pick in a distant year from a team with a questionable future.
The Brooklyn Nets have four first-round picks in the draft, selecting eighth, 19th, 26th, and 27th. The Nets are in the middle of a youth movement and likely wouldn’t want to give up their prized eighth pick, although they have shown interest in trading up.
The only player on the Nets that the Spurs would covet is wing Cameron Johnson, who would be an upgrade over both Devin Vassell and Harrison Barnes.
The Spurs have the means to easily integrate him into their roster.
Full Mock Trade Details
- Nets receive: No. 2 overall pick, Keldon Johnson
- Spurs receive: Cameron Johnson, No. 19 overall pick, 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick
With the second pick, the Nets can land a franchise player, although they have to cough up more assets than the Sixers do because the Spurs would be moving back six spots.
With the eighth and 14th picks, as well as 19, the Spurs can land a premier young player, perhaps even two, but none of them are surefire studs like Harper.
The Spurs do manage to land Johnson, one of the most sought-after wings in recent trade rumors.
The Spurs need shooting, and with Wembanyama, Castle, and Jeremy Sochan all in town, they have built a defensive identity.
Herb Jones missed much of last season with a shoulder injury, but he is poised to return to form. As the New Orleans Pelicans allow Joe Dumars to take over the front office, having a fire sale and rebuilding is likely the most logical course.
Full Mock Trade Details
- Pelicans receive: No. 2 overall pick, Keldon Johnson
- Spurs receive: Herb Jones, no. 7 overall pick, 2026 first-round pick (via IND)
Trey Murphy III is expected to command some value this offseason, although Zion Williamson, it seems, is not garnering any interest as he has long struggled to stay healthy and deals with off-court accusations.
It’s safe to say that Williamson doesn’t fit in Spurs’ culture, although Jones, who shot 40% from deep in his last full season while being named to the All-Defensive Team, does.
This move would signal a hard reset for the Pelicans while allowing the Spurs to field a contending roster for the first time in Wembanyama’s young career.
