As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, most lottery-bound prospects have spent the month of June zigzagging across the country—private workouts, front-office dinners and closed-door conversations. But not Dylan Harper.
The electric combo guard from Rutgers—ranked among the top three players in the draft class—has only held one official pre-draft workout last week with the San Antonio Spurs at his high school Don Bosco, a scoop first reported via ScoopB.com.
At first glance, it seems odd. But according to multiple league sources familiar with the situation, there’s a calculated reason for the limited activity. Chief among them: the Dallas Mavericks, who hold the No. 1 overall pick, never invited Harper for a workout. And it wasn’t about talent or fit—it was about optics. The Mavericks didn’t want to offend Cooper Flagg.
Flagg, the presumed No. 1 pick out of Duke, has long been linked to Dallas in league circles. His unique combination of size, skill, defensive IQ, and motor make him the kind of generational two-way prospect teams build around. Dallas has had its eyes on Flagg since well before the NBA Draft Lottery balls bounced in their favor—and everything they’ve done since has reinforced that direction.
“Harper was never seriously considered for Dallas,” one NBA executive told me. “That’s not a knock on him. The Mavericks were just laser-focused on Flagg, and they didn’t want to send the wrong message by even entertaining another player at the top.”
That kind of maneuvering isn’t uncommon in draft circles. Teams routinely protect relationships with agents, families, and inner circles—especially when they feel a top-tier prospect is already leaning their way. In Flagg’s case, those close to the Duke standout have been receptive to the idea of joining Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and a Mavericks front office led by GM Nico Harrison.
Harper, meanwhile, has handled the situation with maturity. Instead of bouncing from city to city, he’s kept his process tight. His lone visit with the Spurs was quiet but thorough. San Antonio, selecting at No. 2, has explored a variety of scenarios—including trading up—but has shown legitimate interest in Harper’s scoring prowess, defensive versatility and high basketball IQ.
“He didn’t need to do the full tour,” another league source said of Harper. “He’s confident in his stock. He knows who’s watching. Sometimes less is more.”
Harper’s camp has strategically leaned into quality over quantity. That approach mirrors the way Harper has always moved: with intention, clarity, and a tight inner circle. And it reflects the reality that while Cooper Flagg may have the No. 1 spot sewn up, Dylan Harper’s NBA future is still shining plenty bright.
Dylan Harper didn’t need a dozen workouts to prove he belongs. All it took was one. And a whole league has taken notice.
