Victor Wembanyama just made San Antonio Spurs fans’ day. He may have made their entire next five years.
Wembanyama is eligible for a five-year, $251 million contract extension this summer. He’s worth every penny. If he so much as hinted at wanting that contract, the Spurs would get the deal done in a heartbeat. No team is allowed to match that contract, and Wembanyama has made it clear that he wants to remain in San Antonio.
At only 22 years old, Wembanyama has cemented himself as the best player in the NBA. This summer, all signs pointed to him getting the contract he deserved. However, recent reports suggest that he’s willing to take a pay cut.
The only question: why?
Victor Wembanyama Could Take a Discount
If Wembanyama were about to sign his third NBA contract, fans could expect him to take a discount. After all, by then, he would be the most marketable athlete on Earth and already have one massive contract under his belt.
Instead, he seems interested in taking a lesser deal now, giving the Spurs as much financial flexibility as possible. With extensions looming for Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, plus $229 million already tied up in De’Aaron Fox, any discount would go a long way.
“There has been word this morning in Las Vegas that Victor Wembanyama is considering signing less than his five-year, $251 million maximum rookie scale extension to provide San Antonio greater financial flexibility,” reported insider Jake Fischer.
If Wembanyama were to take a discount, the biggest impact would be on the Spurs’ ability to pay Stephon Castle in 2027 and Dylan Harper in 2028. In the meantime, the Spurs don’t need much flexibility. They already signed Tobias Harris, rounding out their lineup.
Signs Point to Victor Wembanyama Wanting LeBron James
So who would the Spurs target? The clearest player on their radar is none other than LeBron James. The King has said that he’s willing to take a veteran minimum contract if he plays meaningful minutes on a winning team. In recent days, James’ hometown Cleveland Cavaliers emerged as clear frontrunners.
Maybe not anymore!
“I had somebody on the phone with me today that I consider a good source who was swearing it’s a done deal in another city a couple of hours ago,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “Cleveland is not the only place where there are rumors.”
From a basketball standpoint, James heading to the Spurs makes perfect sense. Sorry, Tobias, but LeBron would immediately become the starting power forward. A lineup of Wembanyama, James, Castle, Devin Vassell, and De’Aaron Fox would be one of the best in the NBA. Add in Harper, Harris, Julian Champagnie, Luke Kornet, Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, and Carter Bryant coming off the bench, and the Spurs would be one of the best teams ever built.
It’s worth noting that the Spurs don’t need Wembanyama to take a discount to sign James…for a one-year deal. But if they were to offer him two years above the veteran minimum, why would he say no? If the Spurs were to go back-to-back, he’d tie Michael Jordan with six rings. He’d also be the first player to win rings with four different teams.
If it’s not LeBron James, who else would Victor Wembanyama willingly take a pay cut for?
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