NBA GM: Dylan Harper Will Be 2nd-Best Player in 2025 Draft Behind Cooper Flagg

Rutgers guard Dylan Harper is receiving no shortage of hype to be a top pick in the 2025 NBA draft as he nears the conclusion of his impressive freshman season.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Woo, an anonymous Western Conference general manager views Harper as the second-best player in the 2025 class behind only Duke forward Cooper Flagg, saying:

"Before we do postseason deep dives, I think he should be [No.] 2. Isn't he what everyone is looking for? An offensive orchestrator with size. An oversized handler surrounded with shooting and interior defense—he's just so dynamic. You can build a successful offense around the guy."

Through 27 games this season, Harper is averaging 19.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.8 three-pointers made and 1.4 steals, while shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from beyond the arc.

There were enormous expectations for the Scarlet Knights to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2021-22 season thanks to the freshman duo of Harper and Ace Bailey.

However, Rutgers has disappointed to the tune of a 14-16 record, although Harper and Bailey aren't the reason why.

Bailey, who had slightly more hype surrounding him than Harper entering the season due to his status as 247Sports' No. 2-ranked recruit behind Flagg, has had a strong freshman campaign in his own right.

Over 28 games, Bailey is averaging 18.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 three-pointers made, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks, while shooting 46.3 percent from the floor and 35.4 percent from deep.

Even if Harper has leapfrogged him and ends up going No. 2 overall, Bailey remains a likely top-five pick in the 2025 draft.

Harper has received some comparisons to Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden, who has carved out a spectacular NBA career.

The anonymous Western Conference GM suggested that there are both similarities and differences between them, saying:

"[Harper is] a little bit unique because he's so versatile and there's so much depth to his game. James was a bit more projectably athletic. Dylan is stronger, but his game is power-based. The advantage he gains is through his strength and mass. James had that, too, but he was also quick-twitch athletic and could change directions and speeds."

Harper would be a huge success if he has a career that closely resembles Harden, who is an 11-time All-Star, three-time scoring champion and one-time NBA MVP.

The NBA cellar dwellers this season are likely hoping to win the lottery so they can take Flagg, who has been every bit as good as advertised with averages of 19.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.4 three-pointers made and 1.2 blocks per game for Blue Devils team that is No. 2 in the nation.

However, there are some great consolation prizes to vie for among the teams who do not win the lottery.

Harper, Bailey and Baylor's VJ Edgecombe are some of the many who have a chance to be special players at the next level, and Harper may currently be the man to beat as it relates to the No. 2 overall pick.