By Gio Gloria

Amid the hustle and bustle of the 2026 NBA Offseason, a deal that would have made noise quietly slipped through the cracks and may have larger ramifications than most, if not all, of the moves that were already completed. 

When it comes to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs coming to terms, it was never a matter of IF but of WHEN. Timing has become a critical consideration for championship contenders not only because locking in their core now secures a better future before they get a wandering eye, but doing so at this cost allows them to plan ahead financially. Wembanyama and the Spurs went to the table with the latter in mind, as Wembanyama took a pay cut now rather than waiting for the chance at a supermax extension next year. 

Even if the deal as it stands is a maximum contract, it is still a bargain. Wembanyama had an MVP-caliber campaign this past season, posting career-high numbers on offense while still serving as the anchor of San Antonio’s defense. While his first postseason ended in disappointment, the French big man blew past everyone else’s expectations, playing like a veteran for much of the playoffs. As great as he was, he’ll only get better and a five-year, $252-million contract will be more than worth it. 

While the pain of a finals loss stings and tends to linger, Wembanyama and the Spurs have gone to work. The deal is just one aspect, but it is an important one nonetheless, because it allows San Antonio more flexibility to build around him. In fact, this situation is similar to what Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks, the ones that vanquished Wembanyama and the Spurs in the finals, did years before to lay down the groundwork for their success last June. 

San Antonio recently re-signed Julian Champagnie and Harrison Barnes while also coming to terms with Tobias Harris. The Spurs are likely planning to do more and with Wembanyama off the board from a free agency standpoint (even if he never was going to be anytime soon), they can focus on other things.  

A championship loss is supposed to hurt, but the great ones know that it’s a great source of motivation. You’re so close to the summit and to fall a few steps source is both frustrating and can ignite a search for any way to finally get over the hump. 

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs have separately been putting in the work in the offseason, but their combined efforts to come to a deal this early may have just set the tone for another run in June. And with the way the deal got done quickly, it sure means they’re going all in for the long haul.