Rumors circulating in Las Vegas indicate that San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama is weighing a contract extension worth less than his full rookie-scale maximum, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
The 22-year-old Defensive Player of the Year is eligible through the final day of the offseason to sign a five-year deal projected at up to $252.3 million under the standard max or $302.8 million via the Rose Rule. He can trigger the Rose Rule—raising his first-year salary from 25% to 30% of the 2027-28 cap—by earning All-NBA honors, winning MVP or repeating as Defensive Player of the Year next season.
League observers have long expected San Antonio to offer Wembanyama any structure he prefers, including Rose Rule language and a potential fifth-year player option. However, the Spurs’ recent Finals loss and the example set by New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson—praised for taking less than a full max in 2024—are said to be influencing the French star’s thinking.
Brunson’s four-year, $156.6 million extension two summers ago was the largest amount permitted under NBA rules at the time, yet his decision not to wait for unrestricted free agency gave New York added room to keep higher-paid teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby. Similar flexibility could help San Antonio secure future contracts for emerging talents Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.
The National Basketball Players Association generally discourages top players from accepting below-market deals, and the union is expected to speak with Wembanyama before any agreement is finalized.
Less than an hour after Fischer’s report, Wembanyama tweeted, “Spurs family, I’m here to stay. Whatever it takes,” suggesting a resolution may be imminent.
Source: Hoops Rumors
