The Lakers and Dylan Harper: A Super Simple Guide to a Possible Trade

The Lakers Already Have Good Players, But Might Want More

The Los Angeles Lakers (a basketball team) already have a strong group of "guards" — that’s the players who usually handle the ball and shoot from the back area of the court. Their stars include Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. They recently gave Reaves a new, longer contract (a promise to pay him for more years).

But even with those guys, the team might look to add more helpful players to fill gaps.

There is a chance they could trade for one of the league’s most promising young guards: Dylan Harper. He plays for the San Antonio Spurs (another team). He was the 2nd player chosen overall in the 2025 new-player draft (a yearly event where teams pick college or young players).

A Proposed Trade (How the Swap Would Work)

If the Lakers and Spurs agree, here is what could happen:

1. The Lakers would receive Dylan Harper.
2. The Lakers would send to San Antonio:
   • Jaden Hardy
   • Jake LaRavia
   • Dalton Knecht
   • Adou Thiero
   • Cameron Carr
   • A first-round draft pick in 2032 (a high-value future choice to pick a new player)
   • A second-round draft pick in 2033 (a lower-value future choice)

Important Point: Some people might think this is giving up too much! Harper is not the main scorer on his team (not the 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd go-to guy) and he averaged less than 12 points per game. Also, the Lakers would be giving away two possibly future stars in Thiero and Carr.

But Harper had a nice first year (called a "rookie season") with the Spurs. He fit in well, played good minutes, was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team (a list of the best first-year players), and helped his team reach the NBA Finals (the big championship series). The Lakers might grab him now as a "star of the future."

Lakers Positioned for a Direct Dylan Harper Trade?

Harper has only played one year, so his contract (the paper that says how much money he gets) is simple. He is on a "rookie scale deal" — that’s a cheap, set-price first contract for new players — worth about $12.9 million per year. That is "cap-friendly," meaning it doesn’t eat up too much of the team’s allowed spending limit. The Lakers would get a young player who is cheap now but can grow into a bigger role.

The only big problem: convincing San Antonio to give up a young talent, especially to a rival team in the same conference (the Western part of the league). That’s why the Lakers are offering those players and draft picks. The Spurs would get more depth (backup players) and flexibility (options to make more trades later).

Also, the far-away draft picks (2032 and 2033) are helpful because they don’t hurt the Lakers now. Even though it seems like a lot to give for a second-year guard, it shows the Lakers believe Harper could become very good.

Callout: The chances of the Spurs actually trading Harper are low, but in today’s NBA anything can happen. If the Lakers want to open up space on their team and add a high-potential player, this idea looks solid.

Harper’s First Year Performance Could Earn Him a Long-Term Role in L.A.

Let’s look at what Harper did in his first year:

• He played 69 games.
• He averaged (on average):
  • 11.8 points (baskets scored)
  • 3.4 rebounds (grabbing the ball after a missed shot)
  • 3.9 assists (passing to a teammate who then scores)
• He only started (began the game on the floor) in 4 games.
• He wasn’t in the conversation for "Rookie of the Year" (best first-year player), but was still impressive.

In the playoffs (games to decide the champion), Harper played with confidence like a veteran (experienced player). He had a great game with 25 points in the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.

With Doncic and Reaves already there, it’s hard to say Harper would start. But he would fit nicely next to those ball-handlers. Because he is young, he could be a future piece for the Lakers.

If the Lakers use a "small-ball lineup" — that means they use three smaller guard-type players instead of a big player — Harper could start alongside Doncic and Reaves. But that’s unlikely because the Lakers are said to want a "wing" (a player who plays on the sides, usually taller than guards but not the biggest).

Summary

The Lakers have good guards but might trade for young Dylan Harper from the Spurs. The proposed trade sends many players and future draft picks to San Antonio. Harper is cheap, showed promise in his rookie year, and could be a future star. The trade is unlikely but possible. He could help the Lakers even as a backup or in special lineups.

This article was written by Adel Ahmad, a writer with over five years of experience covering the NBA.

FAQ

Q1: Who is Dylan Harper?
A: He is a young basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs, picked 2nd overall in 2025. He had a good first year and is seen as a future star.

Q2: Why would the Lakers want him if they already have Luka and Reaves?
A: Because he is young, cheap, and can grow. Teams always like adding talented players for the future, even if they have stars now.

Q3: Is the trade likely to happen?
A: Probably not, because the Spurs like Harper and don’t want to help a rival. But the NBA is full of surprises.

Q4: What did Harper do in the playoffs?
A: He played confidently and even scored 25 points in a Finals game against the Knicks.

Q5: What does "cap-friendly" mean?
A: It means the player’s salary doesn’t take up too much of the team’s allowed total spending, leaving room for other players.