‘Blunt’ Ron Harper Shuts Down Rumors of Dylan Harper Demanding Spurs Starting Spot

Ron Harper debunks reports of Dylan Harper wanting a starting job.

‘Blunt’ Ron Harper Shuts Down Rumors of Dylan Harper Demanding Spurs Starting Spot

Dylan Harper (Image credits - Firstsportz)

After the 2025-26 campaign ended, many believe the San Antonio Spurs have some thinking to do about the future of Dylan Harper. The young star has more than just proved his worth in his rookie season in the NBA.

Son of former player Ron Harper, Dylan was drafted by the Spurs as the number two pick in the 2025 NBA draft. He played an instrumental role for the Spurs this season and showed no signs of fear or nerves in his first-ever playoffs.

However after his impressive postseason run, it was reported that Dylan’s camp approached the Spurs and demanded that he start next season. But the reports were quickly debunked by his father on social media.

Stop it! FAKE A** NEWS YOU DON’T DEMAND A SPOT YOU EARN A SPOT…..

Ron Harper on X

After an impressive run to the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs will be proud of what they achieved with a young and inexperienced squad. While they were the favorites heading into the Finals, their lack of experience hurt them at crucial moments and cost them multiple games.

However, Dylan Harper was a bright spark throughout the playoffs and was the most impactful player after Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs signed the Rutgers guard on a $56 million rookie deal last year.

Many expect the rookie to be a starter from next season. While Ron Harper shut down the rumors of his son’s camp approaching the Spurs and demanding that he start next season, it was later revealed that the post was from a parody account.

Joe Johnson believes Dylan Harper has “the James Harden talent”

Despite coming off the bench, he scored the second-most points in the NBA Finals after Victor Wembanyama. When the pressure was high, he showed a lot of maturity and poise during the Spurs’ postseason run.

Former NBA All-Star Joe Johnson made a bold comparison between Harper and James Harden.

If I’m Harper, I don’t want the James Harden effect. Like when James was in OKC, yeah, he was a hell of a player, but he came off the bench in his entire career. Obviously, when he went to Houston, he turned into somebody whom nobody had ever seen. I think Harper has the exact same type of talent.

Joe Johnson on Nightcap

It is a huge comparison made by Johnson. Prime Harden in Houston was one of the greatest offensive players of all time. He was an elite scorer and was a regular contender for the MVP award.

Dylan Harper is the rookie of the year, according to Jeff Teague

Dylan Harper made 69 appearances in the regular season, and only four of them came as a starter. He averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists as helped the Spurs finish second place in the Western Conference standings. His numbers were better in the playoffs as he averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

Dylan Harper in his rookie season
Dylan Harper in his rookie season (Image credits – Polymarket Hoops/X)

According to former NBA champion Jeff Teague, Harper is the rookie of the year.

Like nobody remembers Cooper Flagg rookie year, like right now. With Dylan Harper playing they like, ‘He’s the best rookie in the league he had 300 points or something he had the most from a rookie ever.’ He played so well that he got an All-Star, a max player, he got the world calling this n***a sad.

Jeff Teague on Club520 podcast

Spurs will have some thinking to do in the offseason regarding Harper’s role. He has more than made his case to be a starter; however, De’Aaron Fox is the starting guard at the moment. It is a good problem to have for the Spurs, but they will need to get it right as they will look to go one better next year.

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