The San Antonio Spurs' rise to No. 2 in the 2025 draft was a pleasant surprise for them, but it also presented them with a tough problem. Maybe the Charlotte Hornets can help them solve it by crafting a trade before or on draft night.
The consensus is that the Spurs would use the pick on Dylan Harper. However, they already have reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and former franchise Sacramento Kings franchise player De'Aaron Fox. Harper is seen as a potential superstar, and sharing the backcourt with two other guys who play best with the ball in their hands could hinder his development.
Charlotte might be able to deliver a solution: swap picks.
Hornets can aid in solving Spurs' De'Aaron Fox predicament
Just to be clear, the Spurs are likely going to turn down any offer to trade down in the 2025 draft. So, if the Hornets call to propose their No. 4 pick, Gregg Popovich is probably going to end the call immediately, but not before uttering some insults first.
The whispers through the grapevine are that San Antonio is incredibly high on Harper, and for good reason.
The former Rutgers University star has displayed ball-handling and finishing abilities that are typically seen in players who already have years of experience in the pro scene. His outside scoring is still a work in progress, but scouts believe he has the mechanics to be an efficient spot-up shooter.
Harper's defense has also received rave reviews from pundits. He possesses the size, length, athleticism, and instincts that could help him become an All-Defensive guard sooner rather than later.
These are just some of the attributes that have presumably had the Hornets coveting him and have caused some people to urge them to look for ways to jump up two spots in the draft order. Unfortunately for the Hive, San Antonio likely values him similarly and is probably salivating at the prospect of unleashing a backcourt duo of Harper and Castle.
Still, there might be a chance, albeit impossibly slim, of the Spurs finding it hard to let go of Fox, who has already established as a bona fide star. Harper could need a year or two before being able to make an impact in the league. On the other hand, "Swipa" is already capable of assisting the proud franchise get back to its winning ways as early as Victor Wembanyama's third season in the NBA.
If the Hornets can field a trade proposal that blows San Antonio's top brass away, then a conversation might at least take place. Headlining the package is the fourth overall selection, which the Spurs could use on VJ Edgecombe, Ace Bailey, Tre Johnson, or any other prospect that better fits their current core. Charlotte can dig deep in its treasure trove of assets and add at least one future first-round pick and several second-rounders, along with any of its players (not named LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller), to sweeten the deal.
That still doesn't seem like a package San Antonio would be high on. Regardless, it's worth a shot for the Hornets to get in touch.