The Spurs are back in the gym, and Dylan Harper’s second year is already drawing attention.
A fresh update from ESPN’s Michael C. Wright was enough to get Spurs fans buzzing. On September 10, 2026, Wright posted: “Hearing good things about D-Harp's progress... https://t.co/imCS6FM82r”
He didn’t spell out what he’s hearing, but that’s part of what makes the note interesting. When someone with Wright’s Spurs connections says Harper is making noise early in the offseason, people notice.
That’s especially true after the kind of rookie season Harper just put together. He averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal in the regular season, then bumped that to 14/6/3/1 in the playoffs. The numbers are strong on their own, but the bigger story is how efficient he was while doing it as a rookie, with 50%+ efficiency.
That production has already put Harper in a strange but flattering spot on the awards board. He’s tied with OKC’s Ajay Mitchell for the best odds to win Sixth Man of the Year, according to DraftKings.
He’s also the favorite for Most Improved Player, though that one feels like a tougher sell given that he entered the league as a top-2 pick and already arrived with a higher baseline than most young players. That award usually goes to the guy nobody saw coming.
Harper doesn’t fit that mold.
Still, there’s plenty left for him to sharpen. The physical growth will come with time, but the bigger issue is consistency.
Harper is already a polished finisher and a dangerous pull-up scorer inside the arc, where he shot 50% from the field. What still needs work is the perimeter game.
His three-point shooting, whether off the catch or off the dribble, is the clearest area holding him back.
There’s also room for him to become a more selective playmaker. Harper is a lively driver with real confidence to score over defenders, and that aggression is part of what makes him so hard to handle. But the next step is knowing when to make the simple pass, keep teammates involved, and force defenses to cover every inch of the floor.
Beyond that, the Spurs don’t need to ask him to reinvent himself. He already rebounds well, defends well, and brings a strong baseline on both ends. What he needs now is more polish in the offensive bag, more range, and more consistency from possession to possession.
If Wright is already hearing positive signs before training camp even begins, that’s enough to give Spurs fans reason to lean in.
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