The unexpected success of the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery has somewhat overshadowed the San Antonio Spurs, who managed to snag the second pick in a surprising turn of events. The Spurs already boast a strong foundation with 21-year-old Victor Wenbanyama, even though a shoulder injury cut short his remarkable second season post-All-Star Game. After acquiring De’Aaron Fox at the trade deadline, the Spurs are eyeing further progress for next season. There’s already buzz about them being a contender for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and moving up to the second pick might bolster those discussions.
Of course, Giannis isn’t available on the open market yet. As of now, the Bucks star is contemplating his future. If he decides to leave Milwaukee, the Spurs could make a compelling trade offer, especially with a high pick potentially heading to the Bucks. However, there’s also some debate about whether the Spurs should play it cool, keep the pick, select Dylan Harper, and try to accelerate their timeline towards winning alongside Giannis.
A third option exists, too. The Spurs could trade down, acquire experienced veterans, stay within the top ten of the draft, gather future assets, and continue to build around Wenbanyama as he nears his peak performance phase. The Brooklyn Nets could be a valuable trading partner for such moves.
The Nets have four first-round picks—No. 8, No. 19, No. 26, and No. 27—and they’re reportedly keen on adding another lottery choice this year. They’re in desperate need of talents like Harper. Moreover, Brooklyn possesses a veteran that fits well with San Antonio’s style, making a deal with the eighth pick and some future draft assets a strong starting point for negotiations.
On the three-point shooting front, the Spurs have had a strong season, ranking eighth overall with over 44% of their field goals coming from beyond the arc. Yet, they finished 20th with a 35.7% three-point shooting percentage. Wenbanyama stood out as a volume shooter, averaging 8.8 attempts per game. While he’s capable of sinking shots from deep, his forte lies closer to the basket, where his impressive wingspan becomes a huge advantage. It’d be wise for San Antonio to add more shooters to complement Wenbanyama, and someone like Cam Johnson seems like a solid fit.
One-on-one trade discussions could involve either Keldon Johnson or Harrison Barnes, with the Nets able to give up additional draft capital from their eighth spot.
Johnson has been one of the top shooting forwards, hitting 39% of his seven attempts per game, and exhibits impressive scoring efficiency, boasting a true shooting percentage of 63.2%. His offensive impact has him ranked in the 96th percentile for offensive EPMs, and at 29 years old, he’s in his prime. A trade involving Johnson would supply the Spurs with more shooters on the wings, freeing up space for Wenbanyama and potentially moving the team closer to playoff contention while also allowing the Spurs to draft another top rookie.
If the Spurs end up with the eighth pick, players like Kon Knueppel could fit nicely into their strategy, although he might not still be available. There are also options like Colin Murray Boyles and Noah Essenge, who bring elite defense and scoring ability. I think we might also hear Tre Johnson’s name thrown around as a possibility.
If the Nets are eager for Harper, the Spurs could push for future draft compensation, especially given how the Knicks dealt Mikal Bridges to Brooklyn last season. Obtaining two or three future unprotected picks—like those in 2027, 2029, and 2031—along with Johnson seems like a tempting trade.
As for Lauri Markkanen, he could also return to San Antonio in a trade that swaps him with Johnson. Markkanen’s higher salary than Johnson could complicate things, but Utah has enough future first-round picks that might entice the Spurs to consider.
Concerns Around Dylan Harper
Harper has established himself as a frontrunner for the second overall pick. His potential as a long-term pairing with Wenbanyama is intriguing, but there are tangible fit concerns. Harper spent a large portion of his year in a heavy ball-dominant role at Rutgers, which might not translate as smoothly alongside Fox and rookie Stephon Castle in San Antonio. All three guards have inconsistent shooting stats, and Harper himself only managed 33.3% from three-point range as a freshman. While he’s better at catch-and-shoot scenarios—hitting 37%—the defensive pressure on the Spurs could become a challenge.
Harper’s three-point shooting was concerning, hitting just 28.5% of his 333 attempts in his first year, and showcased shaky shooting touch both in college and his rookie NBA year. Fox, meanwhile, hasn’t demonstrated reliability from deep, ending last season with a 33% three-point percentage.
Potential Moves for De’Aaron Fox
So what are the Spurs’ options? They could trade Fox before selecting Harper and then sort out a contract extension for him, which might reach a hefty four years at $228.6 million. It would be tough to let go of Fox, especially after how he’s played for the Spurs alongside Wenbanyama. However, the Spurs’ landscape shifts significantly with the second pick in hand. The four-year rookie contract for Harper presents a financially smart choice, contrasting Fox’s looming extension as he enters the last year of his deal.
If the expected trade between the Spurs and the Nets falls through, would they consider swapping Johnson and Fox? If San Antonio proposes Johnson and Nick Claxton, who would walk away from that deal?
As the Spurs navigate through this, they still have myriad promising options at No. 2 in the draft. Initial reports suggest the team is intent on keeping that pick to go after Harper. Whether they push for a trade involving Fox or simply look to develop their talent more carefully, selecting Harper could still prove to be wise.
The Spurs already own the No. 14 pick thanks to the beneficial DeJounte Murray trade with the Hawks. Having another solid pick along with two more years of Wenbanyama’s rookie contract, combined with Fox heading into a contract year, sets them up well for planning their future.
In the end, the optimal path for the Spurs may well involve selecting Harper, trading Fox, and targeting a sharpshooter as part of the return. Making such moves isn’t simple; trading Fox would be a big decision considering his potential impact in San Antonio. However, championship-worthy teams often face tough choices.
With so many viable directions, it’s undoubtedly challenging for the Spurs to determine their best course of action. Although it feels like there’s no wrong choice at the moment, history certainly will scrutinize their decisions this summer—it could define Wenbanyama’s developmental arc.
