While a previous report indicated that Victor Wembanyama likely wouldn’t play in Summer League games this July, he told reporters on Wednesday that he plans to do so, as Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press relays (via Twitter).
The Spurs and Wembanyama will likely sort out the specifics after he’s officially drafted on Thursday, but LJ Ellis of Spurs Talk gets the sense that the team will probably allow the big man to suit up if he wants to.
As Ellis explains, while the Spurs will likely want to be as cautious as possible with a player they expect to build their franchise around for the foreseeable future, Wembanyama takes pride in his availability and has conveyed that he wants to play as much as possible after not missing a single game in France this past season. That means he’ll want to take part in Summer League and this year’s World Cup before aiming to play all 82 games as a rookie.
While the Spurs won’t want to push Wembanyama too hard as he adjusts to the more rigorous NBA schedule next season, it sounds like they won’t stand in the way of him playing for France in the World Cup, Ellis writes.
Here’s more on the Spurs:
- San Antonio is open to the idea of hiring some of the personal trainers that have worked with Wembanyama and kept him healthy so far in his professional career, according to Ellis. Those discussions are expected to begin after he’s officially drafted on Thursday.
- The Spurs don’t appear inclined to offer Devin Vassell or Keldon Johnson as they continue to look into acquiring an additional 2023 first-round pick, according to Ellis. General manager Brian Wright said as much earlier this week. However, the club has made future draft assets available in an effort to land a second lottery selection, Ellis writes, adding that Anthony Black, Kobe Bufkin, and Bilal Coulibaly have been cited most often as possible San Antonio targets.
- A scout previously suggested to Ellis that the Spurs may pursue a veteran point guard like Fred VanVleet or Chris Paul this offseason, but a team source essentially shot down that idea. “The plan is to avoid big, costly mistakes and to slowly build this thing out,” the source told Ellis. “See what you have first, see what you need, see what can be grown organically and go from there.”
If the Spurs wanted to could they get a playoff team roster this off-season with using trades and there cap room?
I could see it if they bring in someone like VanVleet to run the show. Jones is fine as a playmaker but his lack of shooting is an issue, even though Wemby will help in that regard.
Really, I think it depends on how many minutes they end up giving to the raw players not ready to contribute to winning. Even limited bench minutes to them, while good for their development, will lower the ceiling of the team. The other key will be Sochan’s development.
Or the team might stand relatively pat and use this year, or at least part of it, for assessment purposes while utilizing their cap space to get involved in trades and take on big contracts to acquire additional assets.
Nobody wants Fred. Please give it up
Wemby is a great prospect, but he played in a league with a severe deficit of talent, and his body is not NBA ready. He’s too skinny and weak, and has never faced a real defense. Hoping he’s as exciting as advertised but the hype is a bit outrageous for someone who has yet to grow his man body or face real competition.
Agreed.
Yeah, the same was said about Porzingus and he wasn’t even as hyped or talented as Wemby. Yet KP did very well and was the talk of the town until he went down on an ACL. His ridiculous height and reach will make up for some of that physical positioning. I’m not even sure if he’s going to play as a true center. KP didn’t and was quite effective.
I’m sure Pop and RC value your input, but just curious does Durant have an NBA body?
Every young player has to develop physically, but the French league is a pretty physical league and he didn’t miss a game and Spurs are pretty good at bringing guys along.
If they play wemby at C. Sochan at PF. Vassel at SG. Trade Johnson for either PG or SF in this draft. Or play wemby at PF and trade sochan and something for lively. I know all kinds of draft sleepers
Two more spurs of interest
Julian Champagne
N
Dom Barlow
Champagne looks decent
I really only see ORL’s #11 as an option for SAS to get another lottery pick. TOR & DAL would probably only trade their picks for a starter, and NOLA has picked pretty well in this range and seem like they either want to trade way up or stay pat. Possibly UTAH, but hard to see them just kicking the can down the road for another year when they got some young guys like Agbaji, Markkanen, & Kessler. Hard to see them passing on the chance to add a good PG or F with a good lottery pick. Maybe something like Lively (who was #25 last year), a couple of 2nds, and a 2024 or 2025 1st for #11.
Wesley* not Lively
LOL. Spurs considering hiring personal trainer(s) for their new guy. Maybe that team in N.O. should consider that for their round mound of injury.
Wemby physically is not ready for the NBA. Needs time to bulk up. Steak n potatoes, plenty barbecue in Texas. Spurs also need old school PFs to protect Wemby. He’s not coming in and taking over for a few yrs.
Imo Spurs want Victors teammate Bilal …
Keep the big fella happy. Happy Big, happy team ……
No way should the spurs move Keldon or Vassell they’re ideal young 3&D wings to build around Wemby with.
Moving back into the lotto to get his teammate and friend Bilal would be smart maybe offer Wesley and a future 1 to someone idk.
Spurs are gonna be fun to watch, get a PG to run the show and they’ll be a threat in 2-3 years.
Trade Branham and bassey or Wesley for Bilal. Then trade Johnson and Graham for a good PG prospect. Sign veterans. Should keep adding young talent. Before someone talks crap. I do like keldon Johnson but should go to a new team like they did for Murray.
Keldon Johnson to Memphis for Williams and a pick
Or switch the players in trades
Victor is playing in only one game. His first one in Vegas. They will shut him down after that.