Harper, Bailey face contrasting tests in Year 2

Harper shot 50.5%; Bailey made All-Rookie Second Team

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 81 min read

What's next for Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey and others in 2026-27? 👀 @YourManDevine breaks down the NBA's most interesting Via @YahooSports on X

What happened: Harper finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting and became a key reserve during a run to the Finals. Bailey led his roster in minutes and closed his debut season with three 30-point games in March.

Why it matters: Harper’s postseason production strengthened his case for more on-ball responsibility. Bailey enters a more crowded scoring hierarchy after averaging more than 17 points over his final 30 appearances.

By the numbers: Harper averaged 11.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game. Bailey averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 27.6 minutes.

What to watch: Harper’s perimeter shooting and Bailey’s role within a reshaped rotation will help determine their 2026-27 trajectories.

Sources

@YahooSports 2026-09-08T20:48:20.489633+00:00

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