Rutgers freshman star Dylan Harper is among the most skilled scorers projected to enter the 2025 NBA Draft, averaging 21.3 points per game early in the 2024-25 season.
At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Harper is more of a multi-positional weapon than pure point guard. Nonetheless, his skillset inspires images of Oklahoma City Thunder leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is listed at 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds. Unlike Gilgeous-Alexander, the runner-up for the 2024 NBA MVP Award, Harper is a lefty. However, they’re both exceptionally crafty when they’re on the ball, able to score in a variety of ways.
6’6 Rutgers Freshman Dylan Harper made his Official College Debut tonight vs Wagner..
20 PTS (9-14 FG, 1-4 3PT)
4 AST
3 REBS
3 STLSHow we feeling RN, Top 5 lock?? pic.twitter.com/Od6DWAh0Dy
— Frankie Vision (@Frankie_Vision) November 7, 2024
That being said, while they dominate as scorers, they’re not ball-dominant. That works to their benefit anyway because they’re able to play off of their teammates. At the defensive end, their length and anticipation allows them to cause chaos.
These aren’t the only reasons why the Chicago Bulls should draft Harper, but they’ll be key to that decision.
Rutgers’ Dylan Harper Could Be Better Than Father For Bulls
Here’s a quick history lesson: Harper is the son of 1986 No. 8 pick Ron Harper, who played for four teams during his standout career.
His time with the Bulls were his most memorable years. In Chicago, Harper won three championships alongside six-time NBA champion, Michael Jordan. However, that wasn’t really his prime. Prior to signing with the Bulls in 1994, Harper had career averages of 19.3 points, 4.9 assists, and 2.1 steals per game.
Whether it was in an effort to elongate his career or because Chicago didn’t need to much scoring with Jordan in the roster, he decided to reinvent himself after that. Like 2004 No. 9 pick Andre Iguodala joining the Golden State Warriors, Harper opted to be a star in his role rather than a borderline All-Star. In five seasons with the Bulls, he averaged 7.9 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. After his Bulls tenure, he won two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers using that same formula.
His youngest son doesn’t have to take that route to be at his best in Chicago.
Harper Is Sharper
This offseason, the Bulls will have the option of extending or re-signing point guards Josh Giddey and Lonzo Ball.
Giddey’s defensive struggles put his future with the team in jeopardy. For Ball, it’s his unfavorable injury history. However, their contracts aren’t the only conversation starter, as Coby White will be on the final year of his deal in 2025-26. With so many potential movers and shakers, the runway could simply be clear for Harper’s arrival.
In that event, Harper would have the chance to start as a rookie, though there are certainly no guarantees. To that point, 2024 No. 11 pick Matas Buzelis is still on the outside, looking in at Chicago’s rotation. Nonetheless, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan might sing a different tune about Harper due to his skill, feel, and basketball IQ. That’s not to say Buzelis lacks any of those qualities, just that Harper is sharper.
Frankly, that’s the case when comparing Harper to Giddey as well. Giddey is a top-notch facilitator, but his scoring instincts are behind his passing instincts. Additionally, while Harper isn’t thought of as a lockdown defender, he has greater awareness than Giddey. Thus, he projects to be a better defender, especially off-ball.
1-3
Harper should be able to start alongside White as the Bulls continue to flesh out their new core. Because both are hybrid guards, the key will be finding out the best way to play them off of each other. Due to his experience and last season’s improvements, White might start out as the primary lead guard. At the end of the day though, their chemistry and decision-making will matter more than who is at what position.
Of course, Zach LaVine’s outlook could affect their plans.
He’s been raising his trade value with how well he’s played to start the season. That could make him easier to move, whether it’s before the 2024-25 trade deadline or next offseason. However, the Bulls should be prepared in case they can’t find a trade partner for the star guard.
This is another reason why Harper’s size matters though. If cross-matching, Harper can play a guard role on offense while guarding a forward on defense. Because he can feasibly play 1-3, he can mesh with virtually any perimeter group. For a team with so many questions about their future, that makes the legacy guard a better fit than many picks.
