The 2025 NBA Draft has come and gone, and the next generation of promising players has already joined their new teams. With training camps approaching, these rookies are eager to make an impact and prove they belong at the highest level.
Among those names is Cooper Flagg, the first pick of the Dallas Mavericks, Who will aim to contend for an NBA Championship. Dylan Harper, son of the NBA Legend Ron Harper, was the second pick of the draft and will join the San Antonio Spurs, who are willing to produce an outstanding season.
Their names have started some speculations from the experts of the NBA, and also players inside the league. It drew attention that the former Lakers star, Lorenzo Ball, who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has an important opinion regarding the two rookies.
Will Dylan Harper Fit into the Spurs’ System?
On the Whan An Experience podcast, Lorenzo Ball talked about two of the most promising young players of the NBA, assuring that they have big talent and They have the potential to excel with their teams. He began by discussing Harper, assuring that he will have a big challenge to play on the Spurs.
“You can hoop with Wemby and Fox. Just do your part. Both are great fits, but I feel like Dylan Harper, he’s not going to take a backseat, but he’s going to have to wait a little bit.” Ball talked about the relationship between Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox. He added that while Harper has the talent, earning a key role on a team with established stars won’t happen overnight.
Last season with Rutgers, Dylan Harper put up impressive numbers, averaging 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4 assists over 29 games. His performance showcased his potential to contribute at the next level and highlighted why he could be a valuable addition to a team looking to make a strong run this season.
What Cooper Flagg gains by joining the Mavericks
Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg will find himself in a much different situation than Harper. He joins a team that is better prepared, stacked with high-level talent, and expected to be one of the top contenders in the upcoming NBA season. With a roster full of established players, Flagg will be part of a squad firmly in the spotlight for the 2025-26 campaign.
Lorenzo Ball knows that and stated that “He’s next to AD, Lively, Gafford, like Dylan Harper,. I feel like Cooper Flag gets to just step right in and be a good franchise.”
He added that he understands why Cooper is the number 1 player, “That’s why he’s number one, with pieces around him that can help, like Klay Thompson. Yeah, that’s kind of crazy. Then Kyrie gets back, like, s, first pick, hooping with them. Yeah, that’s a good situation for a first pick, I think, for him.”
Cooper delivered impressive performances last season with Duke, scoring 19.2 points per match, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and more numbers that show his promising college career.
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