By Ben Golliver, 2026-07-15 19:00:00
2025届NBA选秀在全联盟掀起了一场史诗级的最佳新秀之争，并在上赛季的季后赛中涌现出几位大心脏球员。如今，他们已经准备好在二年级更进一步。
库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)、迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper) 和康·克内佩尔 (Kon Knueppel) 在他们的第二年会有怎样的表现？这届前途无量的新人中，还有哪些球员正瞄准在季后赛球队中扮演更重要的角色？又是否有前乐透秀已经走到了职业生涯的十字路口？
让我们通过盘点即将来临的2026-27赛季最值得关注的10位二年级球员，来解答这些疑问：
10. 卡特·布莱恩特，圣安东尼奥马刺
2025年选秀顺位：第14顺位
新秀赛季回顾： 长着一张娃娃脸的卡特·布莱恩特 (Carter Bryant) 作为防守工兵获得了零星的出场时间，并展现出了成为3D球员的潜质，尽管他的出手次数还很少。虽然常规赛场均4.2分和2.5个篮板的数据并不起眼，但在马刺一路杀入总决赛的征程中，他依然获得了少量的上场机会。
未来展望： 维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 领衔的马刺队如今人才济济，如果布莱恩特能在二年级开发出更强的进攻威胁，马刺的攻势将如虎添翼。当马刺在夏季联赛中赋予布莱恩特更多战术角色时，他却受到了失误的困扰，且未能将外线投篮转化为稳定的产量。不过，他确实展现了不错的急停中距离跳投能力。
这位20岁的前锋拥有强壮的身板，并且具备足够的身高臂展和移动速度，能够缠绕防守各种体型的顶尖外线组织者。虽然马刺的前场轮换中还拥有托拜厄斯·哈里斯 (Tobias Harris)、凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson) 和哈里森·巴恩斯 (Harrison Barnes)，但最理想的情况是布莱恩特能展现出足够的进步，从而从这些老将手中抢走更多出场时间。布莱恩特的身上写满了“争冠球队不可或缺的拼图球员”的特质。
9. 叶戈尔·德明，布鲁克林篮网
2025年选秀顺位：第8顺位
新秀赛季回顾： 这位俄罗斯后卫在重建中的篮网队出战了52场比赛，场均得到10.3分和3.3次助攻，但他经常显得难以招架、力不从心。叶戈尔·德明 (Egor Demin) 弥补这一不足的方式是退回到三分线外的舒适区：他有72%的出手来自三分线外，这一比例在2025届首轮秀中高居第一。
未来展望： 这位来自杨百翰大学 (BYU) 的球员在第二次夏季联赛中显得更加游刃有余和果断，这让人看到了他成长为篮网关键拼图的可能。身高6英尺8英寸的德明在进入NBA时就拥有作为主控手的绝佳体型，而现在他已经增加了足够的对抗力量，能够成为一个真正的突破威胁。
凭借精湛的外线投射和对篮筐的冲击力，德明在加州经典赛和拉斯维加斯夏季联赛中屡屡砍下20+。在过去一年的休赛期交易中，篮网引进了老将前锋小迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.) 和朱利叶斯·兰德尔 (Julius Randle)，但他们的长期计划依然围绕着最近选中的新秀展开。目前来看，20岁的德明似乎是这群前景未卜的年轻球员中最出色的一员。
8. 德里克·奎因，新奥尔良鹈鹕
2025年选秀顺位：第13顺位
新秀赛季回顾： 凭借独特的身材以及在内线球员中令人惊叹的传球能力，德里克·奎因 (Derik Queen) 迅速成为了League Pass死忠球迷的宠儿。在首发和替补之间轮换期间，他交出了场均11.7分、7.1个篮板和3.7次助攻的扎实数据。
未来展望： 鹈鹕队可能是NBA最让人看不懂的球队：在经历了一个仅拿到26胜的赛季后，他们并没有做出什么实质性的引援，这表明他们寄希望于在新主帅贾马尔·莫斯利 (Jamahl Mosley) 的带领下通过内部挖掘来提升实力。然而，奎因和同为2025届乐透秀的杰里迈亚·菲尔斯 (Jeremiah Fears) 发现自己正面临着与队内老将的直接竞争。
奎因之所以能入选这份榜单，是因为他最终可能会成为那个说服新奥尔良管理层摆脱尴尬境地、转向青春风暴的关键球员。这位21岁的内线在得分和策应方面确实极具天赋，但他需要在防守端取得长足进步，才能在新教练组面前站稳脚跟。新奥尔良在下个赛季是否有足够的耐心将奎因列为首要培养对象？
7. 埃斯·贝利，犹他爵士
2025年选秀顺位：第5顺位
新秀赛季回顾： 埃斯·贝利 (Ace Bailey) 没能跟上排在他前面被选中的那四位杰出新秀的步伐。这位身高6英尺9英寸的前锋在战绩垫底的爵士队场均得到13.8分，但效率平平，不过在全明星周末后，他的个人数据有了明显的提升。
未来展望： 尽管贝利要到8月份才满20岁，但他现在必须开始将自己的纸面天赋转化为实际的球场影响力了。如果他想蜕变为一名顶级得分手，就必须提高自己的三分球命中率和制造罚球的能力。尽管拥有出色的身材和身体天赋，但贝利的罚球率在2025届29名首轮秀中仅排在第28位。
让贝利二年级赛季变得更加复杂的是榜眼秀达林·彼得森 (Darryn Peterson) 的到来，后者是一位极具天赋的得分手，但组织能力尚未得到证明，势必会占用大量的球权。这可能需要贝利在进攻端用更少的球权做更多的事，无论是在接球投篮还是扮演副攻手的角色。而急于摆脱多年重建泥潭的爵士队，也希望看到他在成为一名全能外线防守者的道路上继续迈进。
6. 塞德里克·考沃德，孟菲斯灰熊
2025年选秀顺位：第11顺位
新秀赛季回顾： 对于在2月份交易截止日送走贾伦·杰克逊 (Jaren Jackson Jr.) 彻底放弃赛季并最终抽中乐透签的灰熊队来说，考沃德是一个令人惊喜的收获。这位身高6英尺5英寸的侧翼场均贡献13.6分、5.9个篮板和2.8次助攻，成功入选最佳新秀阵容第一阵容。
未来展望： 现年22岁的考沃德凭借在大学里多历练了几年的经验，在新秀赛季就证明了自己已经做好了进入灰熊首发阵容的准备。现在，真正的考验来了：他能否在第二年实现实质性的飞跃？还是说，因为他比这份榜单上的许多球员大三岁，我们应该降低对他的期望值？
灰熊在今年夏天交易走了两届全明星贾·莫兰特 (Ja Morant)，这为考沃德和探花秀卡梅隆·布泽尔 (Cameron Boozer) 扫清了障碍，让他们可以尽情出手。在早些时候的夏季联赛中，考沃德持球时偶尔显得有些起伏不定，但他攻防两端都打得很有侵略性。随着18岁的布泽尔确立为灰熊的下一个建队基石，考沃德则成为了球队的X因素，他的进步幅度可能会决定灰熊重建周期的长短。
5. VJ·艾奇库姆，费城76人
2025年选秀顺位：第3顺位
新秀赛季回顾： VJ·艾奇库姆 (VJ Edgecombe) 从第一天起就成为了泰瑞斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey) 身边的首发搭档。在这支充满活力且超预期发挥、一路杀入东部半决赛的76人队中，他场均可以砍下16.0分、5.6个篮板和4.2次助攻。他的常规赛总出场时间和季后赛首发次数均领跑同届新秀。
未来展望： 这位活力四射的后卫冲击篮筐时犹如出膛的导弹，他的巨星之路似乎也坐上了火箭。虽然当当家球星乔尔·恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 出战时76人的胜率更高，但艾奇库姆立竿见影的影响力，让费城球迷已经开始憧憬未来向“后恩比德时代”的平稳过渡。
马克西和艾奇库姆是一对令人兴奋的后场双枪，他们能在眨眼之间完成攻防转换，而杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown) 的加盟将为侧翼注入更强的体型优势和得分火力。费城真正的看点在于主教练尼克·纳斯 (Nick Nurse) 如何让每个人都融入进攻。马克西、恩比德和布朗都是最佳阵容级别的球星，但鉴于艾奇库姆深不可测的潜力，如果要求他做出太多牺牲，显然是愚蠢的。
4. 乔安·贝林格，明尼苏达森林狼
2025年选秀顺位：第17顺位
新秀赛季回顾： 19岁的乔安·贝林格 (Joan Beringer) 在森林狼的大部分时间里都被压在老将身后，而森林狼当时刚刚连续两年闯入西部决赛。这位法国大个子在40次出场中场均仅得到3.9分和2.3个篮板，在季后赛中也鲜有上场机会。
未来展望： 惊讶于贝林格能挤进这份榜单的前半部分吗？大可不必。在森林狼今年休赛期交易走兰德尔和纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid) 之后，这位身高6英尺11英寸的内线突然成为了他们前场拼图中至关重要的一环。
鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert) 和杰登·麦克丹尼尔斯 (Jaden McDaniels) 是球队的中流砥柱，但除非贝林格能够胜任轮换时间，否则森林狼可能没有足够的内线高度来与西部的顶级强队抗衡。他的夏季联赛首秀令人眼前一亮：砍下18分、12个篮板和4次盖帽，并在攻防两端都奉献了精彩的空中作业。森林狼首先需要他成为一名内线防守闸门，本他在进攻端的机动性也可能让他成为新援拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball) 的空接喂饼对象。
3. 康·克内佩尔，夏洛特黄蜂
2025年选秀顺位：第4顺位
新秀赛季回顾： 克内佩尔场均贡献18.5分、5.3个篮板和3.4次助攻，并轰进了273记三分球，创下了NBA历史新秀三分命中数纪录。虽然他的出勤率、神准的射术以及超越年龄的成熟度是黄蜂队战绩飙升25胜并帮助他获得最佳新秀评选第二名的关键因素，但在附加赛中，他有时还是显得有些力不从心。
未来展望： 克内佩尔在新秀赛季的表现堪称惊艳，他的出场时间和三分球命中数均位列黄蜂队内第一，同时胜利贡献值也领跑同届新秀。鉴于他在21岁生日之前就已经确立了自己作为NBA顶级三分射手之一的地位，黄蜂队完全有理由相信他未来能多次入选全明星。
然而，随着黄蜂在今年夏天交易走鲍尔，克内佩尔的职业生涯轨迹发生了意想不到的转变。鲍尔曾是黄蜂进攻的发动机，下赛季随着对手防守端可以腾出更多精力来限制克内佩尔，他的出手质量可能会有所下降。但话又说回来，鲍尔的离开也可能为这位身高6英尺6英寸的后卫创造更多机会，让他去扮演一个聪明的持球组织者。
在认定鲍尔不是他们的建队基石后，黄蜂将密切关注克内佩尔的进步，看看他能否挑起大梁。
2. 库珀·弗拉格，达拉斯独行侠
2025年选秀顺位：状元签
新秀赛季回顾： 弗拉格没有辜负人们对他的极高期待，他场均砍下21.0分、6.7个篮板和4.5次助攻，荣膺年度最佳新秀。他的场均得分和助攻均领跑同届新秀，并帮助饱受伤病困扰的独行侠队拼下了26场胜利。
未来展望： 19岁的弗拉格在首个赛季经常显得负荷过重，由于在缺乏足够支援的情况下被推到风口浪尖，他的效率数据受到了一定影响。不过，需要记住的是，他仅用三年时间就从高中毕业，原本应该属于2026届选秀。弗拉格本可以轻松成为今年6月选秀的状元，因为相比于AJ·迪班萨 (AJ Dybantsa)，他是一名更加全能且技术更成熟的年轻新星。
好消息是：弗拉格已经有了适应NBA生活的机会，而达拉斯也采取了几个明智的举措，围绕他重新构建管理层和教练组。独行侠将在下赛季迎来全新的总裁、总经理和主教练，并且预计将迎来明星后卫凯里·欧文 (Kyrie Irving) 的伤愈复出，这将大大减轻弗拉格在组织端的分流压力。
尽管作为“后卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Doncic) 时代”独行侠的门面面临着重重挑战，但弗拉格在上赛季的表现依然高效、可靠，甚至不时有惊艳发挥。他被预测为未来的MVP有力争夺者，并且应该在自己的第二年就进入全明星的讨论范围。如今，随着达拉斯逐渐走出东契奇离队的阴影，并结束了短暂的安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis) 尝试，如果弗拉格下赛季带领球队向附加赛发起冲击，请不要感到惊讶。
1. 迪伦·哈珀，圣安东尼奥马刺
2025年选秀顺位：榜眼签
新秀赛季回顾： 尽管哈珀在上赛季的大部分时间里都在达龙·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 和斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle) 之后担任替补，但他依然交出了场均11.8分、3.4个篮板和3.9次助攻的成绩单。随后，哈珀在马刺杀入总决赛的征程中提升了自己的表现，在季后赛出场时间领跑同届新秀的同时，也让人联想到圣安东尼奥新王朝的崛起。
未来展望： 哈珀在季后赛中场均14.1分和5.6个篮板的优异表现引出了一个问题：这位20岁的后卫还要多久才能跻身首发阵容？随着福克斯在季后赛中偶尔陷入挣扎，哈珀成为了圣安东尼奥最受欢迎的球员。他坚决的突破和流畅的终结让他成为对手防守端的噩梦，人们很容易将他想象成未来十年里辅佐文班亚马（如同托尼·帕克之于蒂姆·邓肯）的黄金搭档。
目前，福克斯和卡斯尔都将回归，这可能会让哈珀重新回到他上赛季扮演的超级替补角色。他是否应该将目标锁定在“最佳第六人”上？马刺是否会尝试在首发阵容中排上三到四个后卫？关于福克斯的交易传闻是否会甚嚣尘上？
马刺究竟将如何应对这种“幸福的烦恼”，将是2026-27赛季最受瞩目的故事线之一。圣安东尼奥在上赛季超出了所有人的预期，但现在，他们唯一的目标就是夺冠。
由生成式 AI 翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
查看原文：2026-27 NBA season: Most interesting sophomore players to watch
2026-27 NBA season: Most interesting sophomore players to watch
The 2025 NBA draft class produced an epic Rookie of the Year race and several big-time playoff performers last season, and now they’re back for more.
What do Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and Kon Knueppel have in store for Year 2? Which other members of this promising class are eyeing expanded roles for playoff teams? And are there any former lottery picks already approaching a career crossroads?
Let’s tackle those questions and more by evaluating the 10 most interesting sophomores to track during the upcoming 2026-27 season:
10. Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
Pick in 2025 draft: No. 14
Rookie season recap: The baby-faced Bryant played spot minutes as a defensive specialist and hinted at a 3-and-D future, albeit on a low volume of attempts. Despite modest regular-season averages of 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, he continued to see the floor in small doses throughout San Antonio’s run to the Finals.
What’s next: Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs are loaded with young talent, and they’ll be cooking with gas if Bryant can develop into more of an offensive threat as a sophomore. When San Antonio expanded Bryant’s role in summer league, he struggled with turnovers and couldn’t scale his outside shooting. He flashed a nice pull-up jumper from the midrange, however.
The 20-year-old forward boasts a strong frame, and he has the requisite length and quickness to shadow elite perimeter playmakers of all sizes. While the Spurs also have Tobias Harris, Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes in their frontcourt rotation, their best-case scenario involves Bryant showing enough progress to claw more minutes away from the veterans. Bryant has “indispensable role player on a title team” written all over him.
9. Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets
Pick in 2025 draft: No. 8
Rookie season recap: The Russian guard averaged 10.3 points and 3.3 assists in 52 games for the rebuilding Nets, and he often looked overmatched and overwhelmed. Demin compensated by gravitating to his comfort zone outside the arc; 72% of his shot attempts were 3-pointers, the highest mark among 2025 first-round picks.
What’s next: The player out of BYU looked much more comfortable and assertive in his second run through summer league, raising the possibility that he could emerge as an impact player for Brooklyn. The 6-foot-8 Demin entered the NBA with good size for a lead ball handler, but he has added enough strength to become a legitimate downhill threat.
Demin has consistently topped 20 points in his California Classic and Las Vegas exhibitions, thanks to a mix of proficient outside shooting and rim pressure. The Nets have added veteran forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle in offseason trades over the past year, but their long-term plan is centered on their recent draft picks. At present, the 20-year-old Demin looks like the best of a questionable bunch.
8. Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
Pick in 2025 draft: No. 13
Rookie season recap: Queen bubbled up as a darling of League Pass die-hards thanks to his unconventional body type and impressive passing ability for a big. He posted solid averages of 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists while splitting time as a starter and reserve.
What’s next: The Pelicans might be the NBA’s most confounding team: Their lack of meaningful activity after a 26-win season suggests they expect to improve through internal development under new coach Jamahl Mosley. However, Queen and fellow 2025 lottery pick Jeremiah Fears find themselves in direct competition with veteran alternatives.
Queen makes this list because he could eventually be the player who convinces New Orleans to escape its purgatory and angle toward a youth movement. The 21-year-old big man has real talent as a scorer and distributor, but he’ll need to make major progress on the defensive end to solidify his standing with the Pelicans’ new coaching staff. Does New Orleans have the patience to treat Queen as a top priority next season?
7. Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Pick in 2025 draft: No. 5
Rookie season recap: Bailey couldn’t keep pace with the four standouts selected above him. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 13.8 points per game on mediocre efficiency for the bottom-dwelling Jazz, though his individual production picked up noticeably after the All-Star break.
What’s next: Even though Bailey won’t turn 20 until August, it’s time for him to start converting his hypothetical skills into actual impact. If he is going to blossom into an elite scorer, he must improve his 3-point efficiency and ability to get to the free throw line. Despite his size and physical tools, Bailey ranked 28th out of 29 2025 first-round picks in free throw rate.
Complicating Bailey’s sophomore campaign is the arrival of rookie No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson, a gifted shotmaker and unproven playmaker who is bound to use a lot of possessions. That could leave Bailey needing to do more with less offensively, whether in a catch-and-shoot or secondary role.
The Jazz, who want to shift out of their multiyear rebuilding effort, will also want to see him continue to make strides as a versatile perimeter defender.
6. Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
Pick in 2025 draft: No. 11
Rookie season recap: Coward was a pleasant surprise for a Grizzlies team that pulled the plug by dealing Jaren Jackson Jr. at the February trade deadline and finished in the lottery. The 6-foot-5 wing made the All-Rookie first team by averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
What’s next: Coward, 22, proved ready to step into Memphis’ starting lineup as a rookie thanks to his extra seasoning in college. Now, the moment of truth: Can he make a meaningful second-year leap, or should expectations be tempered because he’s three years older than many of the other players on this list?
Memphis traded two-time All-Star Ja Morant this summer, clearing the way for Coward and rookie No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer to take as many shots as they can handle. Coward has looked erratic at times with the ball in his hands in his early summer league action, but he plays with force on both ends.
With the 18-year-old Boozer in place as the Grizzlies’ next franchise cornerstone, Coward slots in as the X factor whose progress could determine how long their rebuilding cycle lasts.
5. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Pick in 2025 draft: No. 3
Rookie season recap: Edgecombe was a Day 1 starter next to Tyrese Maxey, averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for a fun and overachieving 76ers team that reached the conference semifinals. He led his draft class in regular-season minutes and postseason starts.
What’s next: The electric guard attacks the rim like a missile and appears to be on a rocket ship ride to stardom. The 76ers had a better winning percentage when franchise center Joel Embiid was available, but Edgecombe’s instant impact helped Philadelphia’s fans imagine a functional transition into a post-Embiid era.
Maxey and Edgecombe are a thrilling duo capable of getting up and down the court in the blink of an eye, and Jaylen Brown’s arrival will add more size and scoring firepower on the wing.
The real intrigue in Philadelphia will be found in how coach Nick Nurse manages to keep everyone involved. Maxey, Embiid and Brown are All-NBA talents, but it would be foolish to ask Edgecombe to sacrifice too much given his sky-high potential.
4. Joan Beringer, Minnesota Timberwolves
Pick in 2025 draft: No. 17
Rookie season recap: Beringer, 19, spent most of the season buried behind veterans for the Timberwolves, who were coming off back-to-back trips to the Western Conference finals. The French big man averaged 3.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 40 appearances, then played only sparingly in the postseason.
What’s next: Surprised that Beringer cracked the top half of this list? Don’t be. After the Timberwolves traded Julius Randle and Naz Reid this offseason, the 6-foot-11 Beringer suddenly looks like a critical piece of their frontcourt puzzle.
Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels are mainstays, but Minnesota likely won’t have enough size to keep up with the West’s elite unless Beringer can handle rotation minutes. His summer league debut was eye-opening: an 18-point, 12-rebound and four-block effort that included above-the-rim plays on both ends. The Timberwolves need him to be an interior defender first, but his mobility on offense could make him a lob target for newcomer LaMelo Ball.
3. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
Pick in 2025 draft: No. 4
Rookie season recap: Knueppel averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while making 273 3-pointers, the most ever by a rookie. While his durability, marksmanship and maturity were crucial factors to Charlotte’s 25-win jump in the standings and helped him finish second in Rookie of the Year voting, he looked overwhelmed at times in the play-in tournament.
What’s next: Knueppel was a revelation as a rookie, leading Charlotte in minutes and 3-pointers while leading his class in win shares. Given that he has already established himself as one of the NBA’s top 3-point shooters before his 21st birthday, the Hornets have every reason to believe he will develop into a multiple-time All-Star.
Knueppel’s career arc took an unexpected turn when Charlotte traded LaMelo Ball this summer, however. Ball stirred the drink for the Hornets’ offense, and Knueppel will likely find his shot quality decrease as opposing defenses are free to commit more resources to stopping him next season. Then again, Ball’s departure could create more opportunities for the 6-foot-6 guard to function as a heady playmaker on the ball.
After deciding Ball wasn’t their franchise player, the Hornets will closely watch Knueppel’s progress to see if he’s up to the task.
2. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Pick in 2025 draft: No. 1
Rookie season recap: Flagg lived up to his top billing, claiming Rookie of the Year honors by averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He led his class in points and assists per game, and he helped drag the injury-ravaged Mavericks to 26 wins.
What’s next: Flagg, 19, often looked overtaxed during his first season, and his efficiency numbers took a hit because he was essentially thrown to the wolves without sufficient support. It’s helpful to remember, though, that he graduated from high school in three years and was originally supposed to be in the 2026 draft class. Flagg would have been the easy No. 1 pick in June’s draft because he’s a more well-rounded and polished prospect than AJ Dybantsa.
The good news: Flagg had the chance to adjust to life in the NBA, and Dallas took several smart steps to refashion its organization around him. The Mavericks enter next season with a new president, general manager and coach, and they are expected to get back star guard Kyrie Irving from injury to lighten Flagg’s playmaking load.
Despite all the challenges baked into being the face of the post-Luka Doncic Mavericks, Flagg was productive, reliable and at times phenomenal last season. He projects as a potential MVP contender down the road, and he should be in the mix for an All-Star selection in his second season. Now that Dallas has a little more distance from Doncic and has moved on from the short-lived Anthony Davis experiment, don’t be surprised if Flagg leads a run to the play-in tournament.
1. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
Pick in 2025 draft: No. 2
Rookie season recap: While Harper spent most of the season coming off the bench behind De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, he still averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. Harper then raised his game during the Spurs’ run to the NBA Finals, helping conjure images of a looming San Antonio dynasty while leading his class in postseason minutes.
What’s next: Harper’s outstanding form in the playoffs – 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds per game – begs the question: How much longer until the 20-year-old guard cracks the starting lineup? With Fox struggling at times in the postseason, Harper emerged as the most popular man in San Antonio. His purposeful drives to the rim and smooth finishes make him a nightmare cover for opposing defenses, and it’s easy to picture him as the Tony Parker to Victor Wembanyama’s Tim Duncan for the next decade.
For now, Fox and Castle are both returning, which likely sends Harper back to the super-sub role he filled last season. Should he aim for Sixth Man of the Year? Should San Antonio experiment with three or four guards in its starting lineup? Will Fox trade rumors pick up?
How, exactly, the Spurs manage their embarrassment of riches will be one of the leading storylines of the 2026-27 season. San Antonio blew away all reasonable expectations last season, but now its only goal is a championship.
By Ben Golliver, via ESPN