The San Antonio Spurs, presuming they choose Dylan Harper second overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, should be ready to go next season. The starting lineup is expected to include De’Aaron Fox, Harper, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and Victor Wembanyama, as well as depth players Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes, and Julian Champagnie.
However, the starting five has a significant shortcoming. With Vassell’s expectation, all of the starters shoot lower than the league average of 36% from deep. Even Wemabnayama, a top shooter for his stature and position, cannot be relied on to make shots at a rapid pace.
If the Spurs sign Harper, spacing the floor will become an instant concern. While San Antonio has the resources to add a real superstar, a recent mock deal suggests they instead acquire a high-level role player.
Michael Porter Jr. is younger than Barnes and has a contract for the next two seasons. The Spurs just need to give up second-round picks and will have a wing rotation of Porter Jr., Vassell, Champagnie, potentially Harper, and whoever they draft 14th overall.
Porter Jr. is a far superior scorer than Barnes, and any defensive shortcomings can be mitigated by playing alongside Wembanyama.
Of course, the Denver Nuggets are the greatest winners of this trade, as they gain much-needed depth around their core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon.
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