Dylan Harper, Jase Richardson's Top Potential 2025 Landing Spots After 2024 NBA Draft
One can't help but be excited about the potential 2025 NBA draft prospects.
Yes, the 2024 NBA draft isn't even over yet, with Round 2 yet to take place. But it's hard to avoid looking into the future and seeing potential stars, such as Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.
The class also looks deep on paper, and it's a draft where teams can get potential studs later in Round 1 or perhaps in Round 2.
With that in mind, here's a look at the top potential landing spots for one of those stars (Harper) as well as a look at where one of those potential sleepers (Michigan State's Jase Richardson) could end up.
Dylan Harper
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Dylan Harper, the son of former NBA guard Ron Harper, is about to form a dynamic duo with Ace Bailey at Rutgers. They'll assuredly be one-and-done duo, but when they leave New Jersey, both could end up being surefire top-five draft choices.
Harper has received multiple comparisons to Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden. If he's like that on the next level, then teams should be falling over to land him in the draft.
The Washington Wizards should covet Harper. They sorely need a scoring and playmaking guard, and they also need a superstar to build around. Washington also looks like it's going to be bad once again. Frankly, it's hard seeing the Wizards improve much after a brutal 15-67 season. Doubling their win total only brings them to 30-52.
So the Wizards are going to have a solid lottery pick. We won't know where that will be until May, but the team could be in a spot to take Harper.
As far as a wild card team is concerned, how about the Golden State Warriors?
It's not out of the realm of possibility that the Warriors have a bad year. Most of the Western Conference is younger and has better talent and depth. Yes, the Dubs still have Stephen Curry, but if he's forced to miss time, this team is in a lot of trouble. At this point, he's the team's only consistent scorer.
If the Warriors struggle and land a lottery pick, why not take Harper? Golden State needs a long-term core to build around. James Wiseman and Jordan Poole, players thought to be part of that core, are no longer in town. Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski appear to be, but the Warriors need more talent. Perhaps it starts with Harper.
Jase Richardson
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Jase Richardson, the son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, is ranked No. 31 on the 247Sports composite list of the top men's high school class of 2024 players.
The 6'3", 180-pound combo guard, who is headed to Michigan State, has received good marks for his work on both ends.
Per 247Sports' Adam Finkelstein last October:
"Richardson is a southpaw combo-guard who has been known for his upside since he was younger, but is now turning potential into production at an increasing consistent rate. He's highly versatile and legitimately able to impact the game in a multitude of ways on both ends of the floor."
As of right now, it might be hard for Richardson to crack the first round in 2025 (should he enter) given his current ranking, but he obviously has time to raise his profile. Richardson will also be on a rather large Big Ten stage, where he'll face tough opponents and get a chance to prove himself.
As far as where he can end up, the San Antonio Spurs seem like a potential top landing spot. San Antonio has three second-round picks at its disposal. The Spurs may not use all three, but they could in theory do so and stash players in the G-League before they're ready for the NBA.
Richardson has great talent, but he might need some time before he's ready to contribute. The Spurs are a world-class sports organization, and there's no better head coach out there than Gregg Popovich. It's a young team that's developing on the fly, and Richardson could fit right in.
Otherwise, maybe the Cleveland Cavaliers could be interested.
The team's backcourt future is uncertain, especially with the litany of Donovan Mitchell trade rumors. Cavs guard Darius Garland had a down year and doesn't look like the same player that he once was during his All-Star campaign in 2022.
And given how the team's season ended, with coach J.B. Bickerstaff being fired despite leading the team to the second round, it's fair to wonder if the Cavs are going to blow up.
If so, they need young players to replenish the roster. They have two second-round picks in 2025 (their own plus the Milwaukee Bucks' choice), so perhaps they can take a change on a promising player in Richardson.
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