Devin Vassell reveals Dylan Harper was frustrated about his role earlier in the season

Devin Vassell reveals Dylan Harper was frustrated about his role earlier in the season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>Dylan Harper is a 20-year-old rookie, but he did not look like that during the NBA Playoffs. He stepped up and became arguably the San Antonio Spurs' second-best player at times behind Victor Wembanyama.

>It was a magical run for both Harper and the Spurs as they reached the NBA Finals in their first postseason as a core group. That is a huge achievement, even though they could not cap it off with the NBA championship, as they lost to the New York Knicks.

Devin Vassell admits that Dylan Harper had frustrations about his roleAs one of the most experienced players on the team, Devin Vassell is often seen as one of the Spurs' leaders. With that role, the younger players came to him for advice, which included the rookies, Harper and Carter Bryant.

>MORE: Victor Wembanyama admits that he is treating the NBA Finals loss as a significant lesson

>As the second overall pick, expectations were high for Harper. Everyone knew he was a talented player, but only he knew the extent of what he could do. That is why he was extra motivated every time he got onto the floor.

>Vassell revealed that Harper himself had frustrations about his role and the positions that head coach Mitch Johnson was putting him in. While Vassell had nothing bad to say about that, it might be a quote that will be misconstrued.

>"I think we all knew he was talented. I don't know if anybody knew he was this talented besides himself. He was upset with playing time and different roles that he was in, but when we needed him most, he stepped up," Vassell said after the Spurs' Game 5 loss.

>"We have a star in the making, and I know that he's gonna put a lot of work in the offseason. Both offensively and defensively... The sky is the limit for him."

>Harper's frustrations were valid, and that could get even more overblown after the Finals run that he had when compared to starting point guard De'Aaron Fox, who has a massive contract.

>It will be an interesting situation to follow because the Spurs will need to make some changes in the offseason. That might not involve a massive trade that includes Fox, but the front office has to know that they need to maximize Harper's tremendous potential.

More NBA news:The Knicks have become the first-ever NBA team to win the Double • >Jalen Brunson has finally proven Becky Hammon wrong after her 2023 comments • >Jalen Brunson matches Michael Jordan with his magical Game 5 performance • >Victor Wembanyama admits that fatigue was a factor, but not the biggest reason why the Spurs struggled • >Dylan Harper on why he and the Spurs were motivated ahead of Game 5