Victor Wembanyama Poised for $252M Spurs Extension

Merlin sees San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama become eligible to sign a major extension on or after July 6. ESPN’s Bobby Marks expects "little negotiating" before a projected five-year, $252 million deal, with "All-NBA, Defensive Player of the Year and MVP language" that could boost the total to $303.3 million. For a 22-year-old still on his rookie scale, the contract would lock in a generational two-way star and become one of the league’s largest deals. Merlin notes the Spurs are buying certainty. Wembanyama is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and a league-leading 2.7 blocks while shooting 51.1 percent and 36.3 from three, even with a minutes limit and knee caution. Committing now protects the core and signals San Antonio will build around his rare combination of size and skill.