When the San Antonio Spurs selected Dylan Harper with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, they weren't just adding another talented guard to a crowded backcourt—they were making a franchise-altering decision. Fast forward to the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and that decision looks genius.
Harper has been one of the breakout stars of the postseason, becoming the first Spurs rookie since Tim Duncan in 1998 to record multiple playoff double-doubles. His 12-point, 10-assist performance in Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves helped push San Antonio to the brink of the Western Conference finals. Not bad for a player who entered the league as the consensus second-best prospect behind Cooper Flagg.
The Spurs faced plenty of questions on draft night. With Stephon Castle—the reigning Rookie of the Year—and De'Aaron Fox already on the roster, many wondered if adding another guard made sense. But San Antonio trusted the talent over fit, and the payoff has been enormous. Alongside Victor Wembanyama and Castle, Harper has helped form a young core that could dominate the Western Conference for years.
Harper isn't the only 2025 draft pick making waves. Cooper Flagg lived up to the hype, earning Rookie of the Year honors. His former Duke teammate, Kon Knueppel, has been a revelation for the Charlotte Hornets and could have easily taken home the award himself. Meanwhile, VJ Edgecombe joined Harper as part of the fifth pair of top-three picks to reach the conference semifinals or deeper as rookies.
Even the Utah Jazz are feeling good about their draft night decision. Despite Ace Bailey's camp trying to steer him to the Washington Wizards at No. 6, Utah called the bluff and grabbed him at No. 5. Bailey, the most polarizing prospect in the class, has a bright future in Salt Lake City.
So, with Harper's playoff heroics fresh in our minds, let's hit the reset button. If we could redraft the 2025 lottery today, the top five picks remain unchanged—but there are plenty of surprises waiting further down the board. One thing is certain: this draft class is already delivering on its promise.