San Antonio’s season took a devastating turn when Victor Wembanyama was ruled out for the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. Victor Wembanyama’s absence derails the Spurs’ postseason ambitions and exposes their thin frontcourt depth.
Victor Wembanyama’s Absence Affects LeBron, Lottery, DPOY, All-NBA, More
Wembanyama, already a top-15 player in his second season, was leading the NBA with 3.8 blocks per game and was the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year. San Antonio had hoped to push for a play-in spot after acquiring De’Aaron Fox, but without Wembanyama, their season is effectively over. The Spurs’ playoff drought, which already stretched to five years, will now likely extend to six.
What This Means For the Spurs
Losing Wembanyama magnifies San Antonio’s glaring frontcourt issues. Trading Zach Collins for Fox left the team with Charles Bassey as their primary backup center, but he suffered an MCL sprain, further depleting their roster. The Spurs signed Bismack Biyombo to a 10-day contract for depth, but their rebounding numbers—currently ranked 13th in the league—are expected to decline without their star big man. Biyombo is likely to get a standard contract now after making his debut for the Spurs on the last day of his 10-day contract.
Looking ahead, Wembanyama’s eligibility for a rookie max extension in 2026 could reach $326 million if he earns MVP, DPOY, or All-NBA honors. Despite this injury, the Spurs will continue building around their unicorn. Their focus will shift toward re-signing Fox, who becomes eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension in August. The Spurs could also land two lottery picks in June, depending on where their own and Atlanta’s draft selections fall.
The Future of the Spurs’ Guard Trio
Before Wembanyama’s condition, the Spurs faced a tough decision regarding their guard rotation. With Fox, rookie Stephon Castle, and veteran Chris Paul in the mix, San Antonio considered whether to move Paul to the bench. However, given their promise to start him this season, such a shift seemed unlikely.
Now, Paul’s role becomes even more uncertain. If the Spurs abandon their playoff hopes, they may opt to buy out Paul, allowing the 39-year-old to join a contender. Alternatively, if they continue fighting for a postseason spot, they could deploy Paul, Fox, and Castle together, similar to Paul’s stint in Oklahoma City alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schröder.
Spurs and the NBA Draft Lottery
With a 24-29 record, San Antonio’s play-in hopes are hanging by a thread. They sit three games behind the 10th seed in the West, needing to surpass the Phoenix Suns to stay in contention. However, with Wembanyama sidelined, tanking might become a more viable strategy.
If the season ended today, San Antonio would enter the draft lottery in the 10th spot—the same position from which Atlanta jumped to No. 1 last year. If they move up to eighth in the lottery standings, their odds of securing the top pick would double. The Spurs could use that opportunity to pair another young star with Wembanyama and Fox, strengthening their core for future contention.
The Impact on NBA Award Races
Before his injury, Wembanyama was the overwhelming favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. However, missing the 65-game minimum disqualifies him from postseason awards, opening the race for other contenders.
Jaren Jackson Jr., the leader of Memphis’ seventh-ranked defense, and Evan Mobley, anchoring Cleveland’s eighth-ranked defense, are now the front-runners. Jackson aims for his second DPOY award, while Mobley seeks his first. Financially, a DPOY win would increase Jackson’s contract extension eligibility to $345 million, while Mobley’s deal would rise from $224 million to $269 million.
Guards also have a shot at DPOY. Hawks guard Dyson Daniels nears a rare feat—averaging three steals per game, last achieved in 1990-91. Amen Thompson and Luguentz Dort also present compelling cases, with Dort leading the Thunder’s historically dominant defense.
LeBron’s All-NBA Case Strengthens
Wembanyama’s injury also affects All-NBA selections. He was a near-lock for a spot, but his absence now frees up room for another star.
LeBron James, at 40 years old, remains a dominant force. His recent 40-point performance against the Trail Blazers made him the first player in NBA history to record multiple 40-point games after turning 40.
James was already on track for an All-NBA selection, but now, with one less competitor, he might climb from the Third Team to the Second Team. Other players likely to benefit from Wembanyama’s absence include Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Cade Cunningham and Alperen Şengün.
The Butterfly Effect of Victor Wembanyama’s Absence
Wembanyama’s condition reverberates throughout the NBA, affecting playoff races, the draft lottery, and individual award battles. San Antonio must regroup and plan for the future, while players like LeBron, Jackson Jr., and Mobley could see their legacies shift due to his absence. The NBA’s landscape has changed dramatically, proving once again that even one player’s injury can have far-reaching consequences. It also highlights the impact Wemby already has on the NBA.
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