The San Antonio Spurs are facing the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals but may also have an eye towards the offseason. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama will be eligible for a max extension, and you best believe the team will be anxious to get him to sign it.
A recent report via Sporttrac states that Wembanyama will be eligible for a five-year $250 million extension. However, that could bump up to $301 million if he makes All-NBA, wins Defensive Player of the Year, or wins MVP next season.
The rest of the NBA is hoping for that to happen because it would make a difference of about $10 million annually. Even so, CBS Sports' Sam Quinn mentions that Wembanyama is teetering on the brink of qualifying for a super max.
$50 million hangs in the balance for Victor Wembanyama
Remember, Wemby would have to play 65 games to qualify for those awards next season. If he were to miss a month, then he would be deemed ineligible and actually save San Antonio $50 million, or $10 million annually.
Him not qualifying for a super max would be great news for the Silver and Black since it would make it more likely that they could keep their core together. There is also a small but real possibility that Wemby takes less than a possible max contract.
I'm skeptical that he would actually do so, but perhaps if they win a championship, he might be willing to take a pay cut.
The Spurs winning the championship may affect their cap situation
Winning a championship in just his third season could make Wembanyama more amenable to taking less, but they'd have to cross that bridge first. More likely, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper only qualify for 25% max contracts.
That would make San Antonio's contract structure similar to the Oklahoma City Thunder with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. The big difference is that the Silver and Black would also have De'Aaron Fox on a max deal.
Then again, the Spurs could trade him before Harper's contract kicks in in three years. Winning a championship in just their first season together might make the Spurs more willing to pay the luxury tax once this team gets expensive.
Still, if Wembanyama fails to qualify for a supermax, that would save San Antonio tens of millions.
Just the possibility of him missing out on the super max should terrify other teams. But if he does qualify, then the rest of the NBA will still have to contend with a loaded Spurs team going forward.
