The Spurs Lost the Finals, But Dylan Harper's 18 PPG Proves The League Is STILL NOT Ready For What Comes Next

Alright, Emerald City fam, buckle up. We gotta talk about something wild, even if it ain't our green and blue on the court. Remember when everyone was sleeping on the San Antonio Spurs just a season ago? Folks were whispering about them maybe, *maybe* fighting for a playoff spot. They were young, didn't have much shooting, and their prized rookie, Dylan Harper, was only 19. Nobody thought he was ready to roll with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. Yeah, about that... It turns out *everyone* was dead wrong. Harper absolutely exploded, averaging over 18 points per game in the NBA Finals. He's not just a future star, he's *already* a budding star. These Spurs weren't just competing for a playoff spot; they went and snagged 62 wins in the regular season, finishing second in the entire Western Conference! They ultimately fell to the New York Knicks in five games in the Finals, which stings, but what's *really* terrifying for the rest of the league is how much more dangerous they're about to become.

Harper is The Real Deal and The Trio is Locked In

Seriously, Dylan Harper is the truth. There's no way San Antonio can justify having him come off the bench next season. The pathway to his superstardom *has* to be cleared. This means if they have to sacrifice De'Aaron Fox this summer to make it happen, they absolutely should. The sooner Harper and Castle can truly share that backcourt, the better. This past season also cemented it: Wembanyama, Castle, and Harper are their

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primary trio, the next big three in the league. And here's the kicker: they're *still* positioned to go out this summer and grab a fourth massive piece on the trade market if they want to. We saw Wembanyama cement his superhuman status with a ridiculous 41 points and 24 rebounds in a double-overtime WCF Game 1 win against the Thunder. Imagine that with another monster player alongside them.

The Offseason Moves That Will Make The League Shiver

Even with 62 wins, the Spurs weren't perfect. This season really highlighted their struggles to maintain leads and finish games. That's a critical area they need to clean up. Their goal is a title, and they know it. With draft picks at 20, 35, 42, and 44, they've got assets. Their focus should be trading up for a big, physical power forward who can also play center. Someone like Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr., who's already built for the NBA and has Day 1-ready defense, would be a huge get. They're looking for more offense, more frontcourt size, and wing-big depth. While they don't have raw cap space, they can definitely move deals around to improve via trades. If pivoting off Fox for a real two-way small forward is an option, you know they'll explore it. This team, with their existing core of Wembanyama, Castle, Harper, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Luke Kornet, and Carter Bryant, is already a force. Now, they've got the experience, the draft capital, and the trade flexibility to address their weaknesses. The league better be paying attention, because what's coming next from San Antonio might just redefine scary. Get ready for a wild offseason.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.