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Ron Harper Sends Blunt Message With Son Dylan Harper In Line for $56 Million Rookie Contract

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Beren | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 1:13 PM ET

In most other drafts, Dylan Harper would have been strongly considered as the top prospect available. A 6-foot-6 combo guard, Harper averaged 19.4 points per game in his lone NCAA season for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights - and on Wednesday night, the San Antonio Spurs selected him right behind Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Harper joins a core in San Antonio that includes star guard De'Aaron Fox and 2023 first overall pick Victor Wembanyama. The 19-year-old's sturdy frame and playmaking ability have led many to compare him to his father, Ron Harper, who won five championships in a 16-year NBA career.

What cannot be compared are the two Harpers' career earnings. Ron Harper made a shade under $35 million for playing more than 1,000 regular-season NBA games; his son meanwhile is set to sign a four-year, $56.1 million rookie deal in San Antonio.

But Ron Harper is not embittered by the financial reality of the modern-day NBA. After Dylan was drafted on Wednesday, the elder Harper insisted that he played "for the love of the game," not the dollar signs.

I’m not mad at him or the NBA I played for the love of the game… thanks
— Ron Harper (@HARPER04_5) June 26, 2025

"I'm not mad at him or the NBA, I played for the love of the game," Ron Harper wrote.

After featuring rarely in the playoffs in the first portion of his career, Ron Harper joined the Bulls as a free agent in 1994 and established himself as a key member of Chicago's dynasty.

Noted for his strong defense and reliable mid-range jumper, Harper won three successive championships alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Upon joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999, Harper won two more titles prior to his 2001 retirement.

So while Dylan Harper may rake in more money than his dad ever saw playing NBA basketball, he has some work to do to match his father's championship legacy.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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