Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs agreed to a five-year, $252 million extension with no escalators, roughly saving the team more than $50 million by avoiding escalators and providing cap flexibility to improve the roster; at about $50 million per year, the deal could still qualify for the Rose Rule, potentially pushing total value above $300 million given Wembanyama's Defensive Player of the Year award and star-level impact.
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama is weighing a non-max rookie-extension to preserve cap space for rising stars like Castle and Harper, with options up to a standard max of about $252.3 million or a Rose Rule max of around $302.8 million. He could qualify for Rose by earning All-NBA, MVP, or Defensive Player of the Year next season. The move echoes Jalen Brunson’s decision to sign for less than a max with the Knicks to bolster roster flexibility, and the players’ union will likely monitor the situation. Wembanyama hinted he’s committed to the Spurs, posting “Spurs family, I’m here to stay. Whatever it takes.” If he signs below max, San Antonio could more easily supplement the roster with younger stars like Castle and Harper, potentially setting a precedent for future extensions.
NBA has announced the 2025/26 All-NBA teams: First Team – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham; Second Team – Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant and Jalen Brunson; Third Team – Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray, Jalen Johnson, Jalen Duren and Chet Holmgren. SGA and Jokic were unanimous First Team selections, with Wembanyama just shy of unanimous (99 First-Team votes, 1 Second-Team vote). Dončić and Cunningham were ruled ineligible by the 65-game rule but granted extraordinary-circumstances eligibility. Anthony Edwards’ request for an exception was denied. Balloters also included Deni Avdija, Towns, Barnes, Harden, Sengun, LaMelo Ball, Stephon Castle, Adebayo and White among others. Contract implications: Duren can sign up to 30% of the 2026/27 cap (up to about $287.1M over five years) as a restricted free agent; Maxey and Cunningham are positioned for Rose Rule super-max eligibility with another All-NBA nod; Wembanyama can sign a rookie-scale extension, Holmgren’s deal is unaffected by Rose Rule, and Edwards would need All-NBA next season for potential Designated Veteran extension.
