The biggest issue facing the San Antonio Spurs this offseason appears to be solved. Star center Victor Wembanyama sent out an encouraging message to fans Friday suggesting he’s going to sign a new extension with the team.
That message, which Wembanyama sent out on X, was short, but included the phrase, “I’m here to stay.”
Wembanyama, 22, entered the offseason in line for a massive contract. A max deal would reportedly net Wembanyama an astounding five-year, $251 million extension. If Wembanyama hit certain escalators in that deal, it was rumored it could surge to over $300 million, making it the most expensive rookie extension of all-time.
But Wembanyama might not be interested in taking the most money possible. There are reports Wembanyama might be willing to take less in order to give the Spurs more financial flexibility in the future, per Jake Fischer.
For most teams, that would represent a unique strategy. The Spurs, however, have some familiarity with the tactic. It’s the same one Tim Duncan employed back in 2007. The Spurs, which were coming off their fourth championship with Duncan, didn’t win another title during that particular extension. When it came time for Duncan to re-sign in 2012, however, he took even less to keep the team competitive.
Duncan’s tactic worked the second time around, as the Spurs won another title during the 2013-14 NBA season.
While Wembanyama came close this past season, the youngster is still looking for his first NBA championship. After averaging 25 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game in the regular season, Wembanyama essentially matched those numbers during the playoffs. He helped lead the Spurs all the way to the Finals, where the team lost to the New York Knicks in five games.
Though he still put up excellent numbers, it was a frustrating series for Wembanyama, who watched as his Spurs choked away multiple late-game leads. That may have gotten to Wembanyama in the end, as he failed to shake hands with the Knicks after Game 5 and told reporters he would see them “never” following the loss.
But if Wembanyama truly hated the Knicks following the Finals, he’s picking an odd way to show it. If Wembanyama takes less than the max in his extension, he would be following in the footsteps of Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who left $113 million on the table to re-sign with the Knicks in 2024. That decision allowed the Knicks to spend more money on quality players, eventually leading to the team’s championship.
By the numbers, Wembanyama is more than deserving of a max contract. When healthy, the center has dominated the NBA. Over his career, Wembanyama has averaged 23.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 blocks per game. He’s won the Rookie of the Year award, made two All-Star teams, was named the Defensive Player of the Year and made two All-Defensive teams.
But if Friday’s reports turn out to be accurate, all that pales to comparison to winning a title for Wembanyama. If taking less money allows the Spurs to get over the hump and get back to their championship-winning ways, it sure sounds like Wembanyama is willing to make that sacrifice.
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