Why San Antonio Spurs Should Expect Less From Victor Wembanyama

August 7, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

Last season, Victor Wembanyama made NBA history. The San Antonio Spurs' superstar was the first player to finish in the top three in MVP votes while playing fewer than 30 minutes per game.

In just 29.2 minutes, he was able to average an astonishing 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. He led the league in blocks for the third straight season, earning him the first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year Award.

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Putting Wemby in a position where he can succeed, while limiting his workload, has been the top priority for the Spurs since drafting him in 2023. Every season, they've tried to upgrade the backup center spot, finally adding Luke Kornet last summer.

This offseason, the Spurs signed Tobias Harris with the hope that he could help play alongside Wembanyama, although the Spurs' summer moves had a hidden motive.

Spurs Expected to Limit Wembanyama's Impact

Between Luke Kornet, Tarris Reed Jr., Jayden Quaintance, and Kelly Olynyk returning to the lineup, the Spurs have plenty of options in the frontcourt. They can go double-big, with Wemby and someone else; they can rest Wembanyama with their ample backups, or they can go small, with Harris, Carter Bryant, or Keldon Johnson playing some center.

Getting Wembanyama as much rest as possible was central to the Spurs' summer plans.

"He’s a grown man who should help the Spurs deal better with postseason physicality," wrote David Aldridge regarding Harris. "The young bigs should help keep Wembanyama’s minutes down during the regular season and give Mitch Johnson different postseason options."

Even after missing half of his sophomore season with blood clots, it's hard to describe Wemby as "injury-prone." He's missed time here and there, but not for long. He probably doesn't need the insane degree of caution the Spurs are exercising, but with a once-in-a-lifetime talent, some conservation is to be expected.

Later in the season last year, Mitch Johnson tinkered with some small ball. It worked better than expected, giving the Spurs another plan for when Wembanyama sits. Kornet, even after a lackluster postseason, can be trusted with big minutes, and the two rookies are physical forces down low.

As long as the Spurs are winning, don't expect Wemby to lead the league in minutes. The current record for an MVP is 30.4 minutes per game, set by Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2020. Next season, Wemby might be able to limbo under that and win his first Michael Jordan Trophy.

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