Spurs' Harper Interview: Most Wants Curry's Jersey in New Season, Wembanyama's Selfless Pay Cut

Following his standout showing in the Finals against the Knicks, Spurs rookie guard Dylan Harper suddenly became a focal point of conversation. On July 31, Beijing time, Harper conducted an exclusive interview with Bleacher Report.

Despite the Spurs losing the series in five games, Harper demonstrated his potential to the entire basketball community, proving he can develop into a key player down the line. Spurs player Vassell described the 20-year-old as a "rising superstar" and praised him for overcoming mental fluctuations during his first season, noting that he "was frustrated at times with playing time and role" but persevered.

During his interview with Bleacher Report, Harper responded to Vassell's comments. He said that what his teammate said simply highlighted his innate competitive drive, and he is ready to fully contribute in whatever role he is given in the 2026-27 season, his second year in the league.

"I understand what Vassell meant. Any player with a competitive spirit and desire to win faces ups and downs," Harper said in the interview. "I don't see it as a negative comment. He probably meant that I turned those emotions into motivation and ultimately got good results. As for my role on the team, no matter what position or situation I'm put in, I'm confident I can thrive."

Harper, the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, delivered his best performance on the biggest stage. In 69 regular-season games, he averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. In the Finals against the Knicks, his numbers skyrocketed to 18.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. He came off the bench in all five games and still became the Spurs' second-leading scorer, behind only core center Victor Wembanyama.

Nearly two months have passed since the Finals loss, and Harper admitted that the defeat still lingers, but he will turn that regret into motivation.

"You can never fully let go of an experience like that. Any team that loses the Finals feels like they missed a golden opportunity," he said. "It's unrealistic to completely move on, but if you want to keep moving forward, you have to. I'll carry that disappointment with me as fuel to keep pushing."

As the second overall pick in the 2025 draft, Harper earned a spot on the All-Rookie First Team with a solid debut season, though he didn't finish in the top three in Rookie of the Year voting. He admitted that he can be hard on himself at times but knows he still has plenty of room to grow.

"I think my rookie season was overall pretty good. Nobody's perfect—whether it's personal performance or team aspects, there are always moments I wish I could redo," Harper said. "The most important thing for me is to stay balanced and not get caught up in the anxiety of 'I need to do this and that right now.' Just keep moving forward steadily and refining my game."

This mindset comes from his father's guidance. The elder Ron Harper has stood at the pinnacle of basketball, playing alongside legends like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, and the late Kobe Bryant.

When asked about his father's assessment of his rookie season, Harper said, "My dad mostly tells me to keep growing, both as a player and as a person. The most important advice he gave me is to stay calm and composed. He knows the work I put in day in and day out, so he always says to be ready and seize the opportunity when it comes. I carried that mindset throughout the season."

This week, the father and son are together in Chicago, and Harper is gaining more valuable experience from his father. Besides visiting a few restaurants his dad frequented during his Bulls days, Harper will appear at the National Sports Collectors Convention. He will collaborate with eBay live stream card breaker Blez for an exclusive buy-one-get-one card-breaking live stream on Friday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.

The stream will open packs from all Topps basketball card series since October 2025. If someone pulls Harper's rookie card, that collector will be invited on stage to interact with the rising star face-to-face.

"What I'm most looking forward to at this event is connecting with fans and collectors. And of course, working with Blez, I hope someone pulls my Topps Chrome rookie card," Harper said. "If someone is lucky enough to get it, that would be a great day."

Harper said he has loved sports memorabilia collecting since childhood. As a kid, he watched his father collect items from Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and others, planting the seed for collecting. During his rookie season, he exchanged jerseys with some of the league's top stars, with LeBron James and Kevin Durant jerseys being his most treasured. But there's one jersey he hasn't been able to get, and he plans to seize the opportunity in the new season to fulfill that wish.

"Without a doubt, it's Stephen Curry's jersey. That's the one I want most," Harper said. "I faced the Warriors twice, but when I played, Curry was out; when Curry played, I didn't get on the court. So I'm really looking forward to the chance to exchange jerseys."

During the current offseason, Harper is polishing his skills in all areas. The entire Spurs team is gearing up to make a run back to the Finals. This offseason, the Spurs signed veteran free agent Tobias Harris to a two-year contract, and then agreed to a five-year, $252 million max extension with Wembanyama, who voluntarily gave up a supermax deal worth up to $303 million.

Harper said Wembanyama's decision to take a pay cut, freeing up about $50 million in cap space over the next five years, shows his determination to have a championship-contending core around him long-term.

"We all know what kind of person he is, but this choice shows how selfless he is. He wants the team to get better, and ultimately, he ensures everyone has room to contribute."

Wembanyama is one of the fastest-rising stars in the league. Harper revealed that the reigning Defensive Player of the Year remains humble and genuine.

"A lot of people don't see his funny side. They always see his serious side—when he steps on the court, he gives it his all. Although he has a unique aura, he still maintains the humility of an ordinary person. He likes to joke around, mess about, and is a really fun guy."

But for other teams in the league, the Spurs' rapid rise into championship contention is no joke. This offseason saw a massive shakeup across the league: LeBron James and Jaylen Brown joined the Philadelphia 76ers, Giannis Antetokounmpo moved to the Miami Heat, Kawhi Leonard returned to the Toronto Raptors, and LaMelo Ball was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves—blockbuster deals everywhere.

Faced with all the seismic personnel changes, Harper said he wasn't particularly shocked.

"I don't have much to say about it. That's just the NBA—every team is trying to get better. This offseason has been really eventful, but all teams are looking for the right pieces to complete their rosters."

Harper added that heading into the 2026-27 season, the Spurs are satisfied with being in the league's top tier of contenders.

"The competition in both the East and West is incredibly fierce. There are no easy nights in this league. We're happy to keep our core intact and add new pieces. As we enter the new season, we have a lot of confidence and a good mindset."