The son of 5-time NBA champion Ron Harper, Dylan Harper is seen as a player with all of the potential in the world. Selected second overall in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, Harper was a standout point guard at Rutgers in his native New Jersey. Not only is he bigger than a traditional PG at 6’6″, but he’s incredibly well-rounded and showed off elite ability at playmaking, finishing, and could be counted on in the clutch (though he has struggled with his long-range shooting). Just to describe how highly regarded this kid is, had it not been for Cooper Flagg existing, it’s very possible Harper would’ve been the top prospect going into this year’s draft. He was that good in college and has the potential to be among the upper echelon of players in the NBA. Which is why he’s projected to be given a $56 million bag as part of his rookie contract.
Once upon a time, a rookie getting this kind of contract would’ve been a preposterous scenario. But these days, following extensive changes to the NBA collective bargaining agreement and the implementation of the “rookie max,” teams have been willing to pay this much for sheer potential, despite these young players being unproven commodities. In fact, without having set foot on an NBA court yet, Dylan Harper will have made more than his father — a multiple-time champion — ever did over the course of his entire career.
