'F--k No,' Dylan Harper Jokes About Winning Sixth Man Award, 'I Ain't Coming off No Bench'

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper was one of the best bench options in the NBA as a rookie last year, but he's looking to play a different role this year.

In an interview with GQ's Cam Wolf, Harper joked about winning Sixth Man of the Year before clarifying what he wants his role to be this year.

"What's the political answer here?" Harper said. "I'm going to do whatever the team needs me to do, man. If that's come off the bench…. That's crazy. F--k no. I ain't coming off no bench."

Harper, the No. 2 overall pick in 2025, put up 11.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game last year, averaging 22.6 minutes per contest off the bench. He was tremendous in the Spurs' Finals run, recording 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, mostly off the bench in 23 games.

In his first career playoff start against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Harper posted 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals and six assists in a double-overtime win.

While Harper has proved that he's more than capable of taking on a starting role, the Spurs have a bit of a logjam in the backcourt. The typical starting lineup last season saw De'Aaron Fox at point guard and Stephon Castle at shooting guard, with Harper coming in off the bench.

Having three great guards is a champagne problem, and the Spurs will have to decide which of their three All-Star-caliber guards will have to come off the bench.

Harper clearly believes he'll be one of the two who get the starting nod.