Victor Wembanyama: Discount Meant To Keep Money From Limiting Spurs' Title Chances
Victor Wembanyama explained his decision to sign a five-year, 252 million extension below supermax value, saying the choice was designed to preserve the San Antonio Spurs' championship contention window. The Spurs announced the deal July 10, which begins with the 2027-28 season and starts at 25 percent of the salary cap rather than the 30 percent supermax figure Wembanyama was eligible to receive. Wembanyama addressed his reasoning in an interview with The Athletic, tied to his announcement as a cover athlete for NBA 2K27. 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, said Wembanyama. 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. The decision could save San Antonio roughly 50 million over the life of the extension, offering the front office added flexibility for trades or additional signings as the team looks to build around its young core. Wembanyama, a two-time All-Star and the NBA's first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, averaged career highs of 25 points and 11.5 rebounds last season while leading the league with 3.1 blocks per game, helping San Antonio reach its first NBA Finals appearance during his tenure. He earned First-Team All-NBA honors and finished third in MVP voting. Wembanyama acknowledged the rapid pace of his accomplishments while insisting he remains unsatisfied. Just like every achievement in my career, I wish it happened sooner, said Wembanyama. It's all happening very quick, but I am not satisfied and I want it to happen quicker. It's definitely a big milestone, something good. That's done. According to The Athletic's John Hollinger, maintaining Wembanyama's cap figure at 25 percent rather than supermax level would also allow the Spurs to use their full nontaxpayer midlevel exception in the 2027 offseason while remaining below the first luxury tax apron, an option that would otherwise require trading a rotation piece. That flexibility becomes increasingly important as San Antonio looks to extend young players like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper in the coming years. Wembanyama also addressed the growing attention surrounding his game, both on the court and in broader basketball culture. I see it, and I feel it with people around me, said Wembanyama. Whether it's fans or interactions, even haters, you know it's everywhere. But mentally, it's not taking a toll on me, I'm just living my career. I hear it the most with journalists and media. But, yeah, it comes with it. I guess it's only a good thing. Wembanyama joins previous 2K cover athletes including Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Luka Doncic. He recalled playing the game growing up in France with his brother and uncle. I know it means a lot culturally, too, said Wembanyama. 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.
