NBA owners loved it — this is what they and Adam Silver want to see, players willingly taking a little less money. It frustrated the NBA players’ union, starting with the fact it’s a decision that had to be made at all.
Victor Wembanyama took a discount on his contract extension with the Spurs that could save the team a little more than $50 million over five years by agreeing to only take 25% of the salary cap — still five years, $252 million — rather than the 30% he would be eligible for if he is again Defensive Player of the Year or makes an All-NBA team (thinks that feel like a lock if he plays the required 65 games next season).
For the first time, Wemby discussed his decision, speaking to Jason Jones of The Athletic about the French center being named the NBA 2K27 cover athlete (along with Caitlin Clark and Derrick Rose).
“We have a good team, we had a very good playoff run, and we had a very good regular season. But what’s even better and greater is our potential. The reality of today’s NBA is that often, the potential of teams is not fulfilled because of money. I just want to make sure it’s never our case.”
Welcome to the world of the second apron of the luxury tax, which teams are treating as a hard cap. Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren took the same discount Wemby did a year ago, and yet this summer his team had to let go of Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to stay below that line. Boston traded Jaylen Brown because management said it couldn’t build a contending team in the future with him and Jayson Tatum taking up a combined 70% of the salary cap. Wemby sees the extensions coming for Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper — plus De’Aaron Fox being on a huge contract — and did what he sees as his part.
If anyone deserved all the money he can get, it’s Wembanyama, who at age 22 is arguably the best player walking the face of the earth — and in a couple years that will not be an argument. Last season he averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game, lifted the Spurs to the NBA Finals, was voted the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, came in third in MVP voting and was voted First Team All-NBA. He is becoming a massive global brand and star.
Which is why he’s on the cover of NBA 2K27, taking the spot that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held a year ago for the top-selling sports video game in the United States. Wemby gets that this is big.
“I know it means a lot culturally, too. It’s hard to realize for me that I’m taking more and more space, more real estate in the world of basketball, in what basketball means, in professional basketball.”
And his eyes, if the money he gave up helps him and the Spurs stay there, then it’s worth it.
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