Final night time the NBA held the primary spherical of the 2025 draft and the Spurs walked away with Dylan Harper because the second total choose within the draft and Carter Bryant with the fourteenth choose.
On the finish of the night time when the primary spherical accomplished, Spurs Basic Supervisor Brian Wright stepped out of the warfare room to take some questions.
The Spurs had two lottery picks this yr and regardless of conversations circling that they might commerce one or each in pursuit of a bonafide star, they selected to retain and make the most of each picks final night time.
“This time of the yr you haver to undergo a course of, it’s a must to reply the telephone, however I believe early on we knew what we wished to do and the potential of the participant (within the quantity two choose). We listened to issues as they got here in however we had been fairly locked in.”
The Spurs had made their intention to draft Harper clear, however their want to accumulate Bryant was stored somewhat nearer to their chest.
“We had Carter fairly excessive on our board and had truly tried to make some strikes to doubtlessly go and get him, so to get him at fourteen was a nice shock for us. I believe he’s tremendous versatile. He’s an enormous wing who we expect can guard 4 positions. He areas the ground effectively. He’s a very good athlete. He’s a wise younger child and I believe he’s received the suitable character and make-up that we search for, so I believe we’re excited he was there and somewhat shocked; however he provides a brand new dimension going ahead.”
The Spurs had been scheduled to draft the thirty eighth spot tomorrow within the second spherical, however earlier within the night time it was introduced that traded that choose to the Indiana Pacers for a future second spherical choose and money concerns.
“We weight every factor and attempt to undertaking ahead. Generally it is smart to make selections early, and you’ll all the time regulate and react accordingly as wanted.”
The Spurs nonetheless have a necessity for a backup heart. When requested if one was thought of by the draft or if the Spurs had been ready at no cost company, Wright responded,
“We do not ever method the draft simply attempting to fill a necessity. There a re numerous methods to construct your staff out. The draft is an opportunity you get so as to add somebody who can match long run. You wish to take the long run expertise and determine the roster out when it comes to speedy match.”
When requested particularly about what the Spurs preferred about Dylan Harper, he said,
“He’s received a uncommon confidence with humility. He’s a really down-to-earth, easy child, loves basketball, and after spending time with him all through the method you possibly can inform that he is aware of he is a superb basketball participant. However he desires to be a part of a gaggle, he desires to be a part of a staff, he’s keen to sacrifice, he’s keen to work for it. And the extra we hung out with him the extra we felt assured in that.”
Final yr, the Spurs took Stephon Fort whose father performed alongside Tim Duncan at Wake Forest. This yr, Dylan Harper, son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, was chosen. When requested if having household who performed the game made a distinction, Wright replied,
“You already know what’s nice — the primary time they’re listening to a troublesome message or the reality about basketball, it isn’t from us, or coming from a coach, it’s coming from house. How arduous it’s a must to work, what it takes to be nice, what it means to sacrifice and be a part of one thing nice. They get that. So we’re reinforcing one thing they’ve been taught versus we’re attempting to show them one thing for the primary time.”
Wright and the staff felt good about the way in which the night panned out.
“It was good…excited with the end result. I believe we received two nice younger gamers so as to add to the group going ahead.”
When pressed in regards to the future, Wright maintained that the draft was one aspect of the better image.
“I believe what we attempt to do is put one foot in entrance of the opposite, keep head down, and hopefully we glance up someday and we’re proper the place we wish to be. However we do not put the cart in entrance of the horse. We’ve received numerous work to do within the coming months, within the coming years, however our hope and aim is to be there as quickly as we may be.”
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson welcomes Dylan Harper to the San Antonio Spurs.
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