The Rookie of the Year discussion has begun, and the conversation focuses on Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe. This doesn't reflect what other players are doing in the league, because there are some who are playing really well. One of those rookies is Dylan Harper.
Chandler Parsons recently showed love to the San Antonio Spurs rookie, and although he doesn't think he's in the Rookie of the Year conversation, he thinks he has a solid career ahead of him.
“If you put Dylan Harper on the Mavs or Charlotte [Hornets]"He's probably averaging the same exact numbers, if not better," Parsons said on Run It Back. "He's that good. ... This scenario of being on a good team almost hurts his chances of winning [ROTY]. His opportunity is not there; He's playing less minutes, he's playing behind guys like Fox and Cassel, where Cone and Cooper have the final green light and they're playing on bad teams.
"If you put Dylan Harper on the Mavs or Charlotte [Hornets]He's probably averaging the same exact numbers, if not better. He is that good. ...This scenario of being on a good team almost hurts its chances of winning [ROTY]"
-Chandler Parsons 🤔pic.twitter.com/6xY7IhTviR
- ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 4 March 2026
Harper is in a different situation than Flagg, as he is basically putting up big numbers for the Mavericks as the No. 1 option on the team. Knueppel has played a solid role for the Hornets, but they are not one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
As far as Harper is concerned, he is playing behind multiple guards, but he is still contributing to the Spurs as they are one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Harper certainly deserves flowers for the way he's been performing with the Spurs, but it won't come with a Rookie of the Year trophy.
As for him, he's probably hoping he gets a chance to capture an NBA championship at the end of the season because of the role he'll play in helping them get there.
