On a notable Sunday, Victor Wembanyama's extremely promising career reached a significant milestone as he participated in his first All-Star Game. This game marked what is likely the final appearance of his second NBA season. Unfortunately, Wembanyama is now expected to miss the rest of the season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. This development highlights how quickly circumstances can change.
The primary focus now is on ensuring a swift recovery for Wembanyama. The San Antonio Spurs anticipate this to be an isolated incident. Despite this setback, Wembanyama's long-term outlook remains positive, promising a bright future for San Antonio. However, the immediate impact of his absence raises questions. What does Wembanyama's absence for the remainder of this season mean for both the Spurs and the broader NBA?
Wembanyama ends this season having played 65 games, which removes him from contention for several honors. He will not be named Defensive Player of the Year nor selected for an All-Defense or All-NBA Team after the season. Although Wembanyama has ample time to secure trophies in the future, the current season's honors are now more accessible to other players.
The big winner here might be Evan Mobley. Last offseason, Mobley reportedly signed a five-year, $224 million max rookie extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which includes Rose Rule escalators that could escalate it to $269 million. With Wembanyama out of the picture, Mobley stands a better chance of securing All-NBA honors, which would trigger those escalators.
Similarly, Jaren Jackson Jr. is in the running for a supermax extension. If eligible, the Memphis Grizzlies will benefit from additional cap space, allowing more flexibility in their roster planning. Other players like Cade Cunningham and Scottie Barnes also enjoy increased opportunities for lucrative contracts due to Wembanyama's absence.
Even with De'Aaron Fox, it's challenging to envision the Spurs reaching the postseason without Wembanyama. As of now, they are 3.5 games out of the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference. The absence of a proven backup center exacerbates their predicament, especially after the trade of Zach Collins in the Fox deal.
This situation likely pushes the Spurs towards the lottery. While they don't lack young talent, securing another lottery pick could significantly bolster their roster. Currently, San Antonio holds the 10th-best odds in the draft, with potential to improve their position. Additionally, the Spurs control Atlanta's unprotected first-round pick, offering the possibility of two lottery picks in June.
As the Spurs have only seen Fox in five games so far, there remains uncertainty about his fit with Wembanyama and the integration of other young talents. This brief sample size is insufficient to assess the viability of a trio featuring Fox, Stephon Castle, and Jeremy Sochan.
Consequently, the Spurs may need to extend their evaluation into next season to truly understand how their key players gel with Wembanyama's unique skill set. This pause provides an opportunity to thoroughly reassess and optimize their roster strategy for future success.
