Dylan Harper Reportedly Has 'Big Fans' in Wizards Front Office amid NBA Draft Rumors

Rutgers guard Dylan Harper is reportedly on the Washington Wizards' radar ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Woo, Harper has some "big fans" in the Wizards' front office, which suggests he could be the pick depending on where Washington lands in the lottery.

At 14 percent, the Wizards are tied with the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets for the best chance to land the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. It seems likely that whichever team picks first will select Duke forward Cooper Flagg.

There is more room for debate on the No. 2 overall pick onward with Harper, Rutgers forward Ace Bailey and Baylor wing VJ Edgecombe being among the top candidates.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman ranked Harper as the No. 2 overall player in the draft behind only Flagg on his latest big board. Wasserman also projected Harper to go second overall to the Portland Trail Blazers in his latest mock draft with the Wizards taking Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears fifth overall.

The Wizards need a top pick perhaps as badly as any team in the league after finishing with the NBA's second-worst record this season at 18-64.

Washington has won fewer than 20 games in back-to-back seasons, and it has not reached the playoffs since 2021 or had a winning record since 2018.

While 2024 No. 2 overall draft pick Alex Sarr showed immense potential as a rookie, the Wizards still lack a future superstar, and Harper could be that guy.

The 19-year-old son of former NBA guard Ron Harper was excellent in his only collegiate season, averaging 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 three-pointers made and 1.4 steals per game, while shooting 48.4 percent from the field.

Most viewed Bailey as Flagg's toughest competition to go No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA draft when the 2024-25 college basketball season began, but Harper seems to have surpassed his Rutgers teammate, making him the top consolation prize for the teams that don't land Flagg.