San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper has publicly shut down rumors of a rift with veteran teammate De'Aaron Fox over the team's starting lineup. The speculation emerged following the Spurs' NBA Finals loss to the New York Knicks, a 90-94 defeat on June 14, 2026, which capped a tough recent stretch where the team lost four of its last five games. Harper, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, directly addressed the reports in an interview with NBA reporter Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson. Sportskeeda first reported the story.
What did Dylan Harper say about the rumors?
Harper dismissed the idea of any conflict with Fox. "I mean, I feel like what’s understood doesn’t need to be explained," Harper told Robinson. He emphasized that Fox took him under his wing during his entire rookie season. Harper stated they never had a problem sharing the court, even with multiple ball-handlers. He credited the former Sacramento Kings star with teaching him invaluable lessons about the NBA game.
Their relationship grew so strong that Harper now jokes with Fox like family. "Every time I see his son, every time I see his family, like, we’re all super close," Harper explained. "So it’s like me and him have a great relationship where it’s like, that’s kind of my-I joke with him all the time; he’s kind of my uncle." Harper believes Fox provides guidance that only a player of his caliber and experience can offer.
How did the Spurs' backcourt perform this season?
Despite the Finals loss, the pairing of Harper and fellow guard Stephon Castle showed immense promise throughout the 2026 postseason. Their performance caught the attention of Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. On "The Bill Simmons Podcast," Barkley made a bold comparison for the young Spurs duo.
Barkley predicted Harper and Castle could become the next iteration of the legendary "Splash Brothers." "First of all, those two guards, I don’t want to see them for the next 10 years if I’m a guard in the NBA," Barkley said. "They’re going to be the best. They’re going to be the new Steph and Klay." This high praise shows the potential ceiling for San Antonio's backcourt as they build around star Victor Wembanyama.
What's next for the San Antonio Spurs?
The Spurs enter the offseason after a challenging finish, reflected in their recent form of one win and four losses in their last five contests. The focus will be on integrating their young core and addressing areas of need. Harper's development alongside Fox and Castle will be a key storyline. Team chemistry, which Harper strongly defended, will be vital for a bounce-back campaign.
Fans can track the team's offseason moves and prepare for the next season by checking the official roster page for roster updates. The front office, led by Coach Mitch Johnson, has a promising foundation with Harper, Castle, and Wembanyama. Turning potential into consistent wins is the next step. The goal will be to convert close losses, like the four-point defeat in the Finals, into victories as this group matures together.
