Dylan Harper voiced frustration earlier during his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs over his playing time, and expectations are building that his camp will push harder for a starting role heading into next season.

Harper, the No. 2 pick in last year's draft, saw his minutes increase as the season progressed and the rookie gained experience. He delivered a breakout moment in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, becoming the sixth rookie in league history to score 25 points in an elimination game on the championship stage, despite San Antonio's 4-1 series loss to the New York Knicks.

Harper's emergence has fueled social media calls for a change at point guard, with some fans pushing for De'Aaron Fox to be replaced in the starting lineup. The Spurs acquired Fox in a February 2025 trade with an agreement to sign him to a max contract, months before landing the No. 2 pick and drafting Harper, creating a crowded backcourt.

Fox struggled in the Finals, shooting 34.3 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3-point range, including a 3-of-15 performance in the closeout Game 5 loss. Sources described Fox as a calming presence and the team's closer for most of the season, suggesting one difficult series while playing through an ankle injury does not change San Antonio's internal commitment to him as the starter.

"I definitely learned a lot in this playoff run," said Harper. "A whole lot to grow on, a whole lot to learn. Can't keep moving forward if you don't have a positive attitude. We lost and I wanted to win. We've got to bounce back."

Fox's four-year, $229 million extension kicks in next season, raising his salary from $37.1 million to $49.8 million, with a final-year payout of $61.7 million in 2029-30.

Mitch Johnson said the issue is not one San Antonio needs to resolve immediately, noting Fox's contract situation becomes more pressing only after extensions for Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle take effect.

"Teams that have been in this space before typically have a group of people that have played together for some time," said Johnson. "These guys are going through that for the first time this year. They're typically a lot better in Year 2 and Year 3."