San Antonio Spurs

Draymond Green had some high praise for San Antonio Spurs standout rookie Victor Wembanyama.

The Golden State Warriors forward has been impressed with Wembanyama, revealing that he sees a Most Valuable Player award in his near future during The Draymond Green Show.

"Victor Wembanyama's just different," Green said. "Kid's special. Absolutely special, and he may win MVP of the league in like the next two years or so."

“Victor Wembanyama is probably a top-20 player in the NBA right now” - @Money23Green 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/8k2CZe3R3J

— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 14, 2024

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft has already turned heads during his inaugural season, averaging 20.7 points and 10.3 rebounds to go along with a league-leading 3.4 blocks per game. The 7'4" phenom has repeatedly showed off his ball-handling abilities while connecting on a respectable 33.3 percent of his 5.1 three-point attempts each night.

While Wembanyama seems to be on pace to becoming one of the NBA's top players, it would be surprising for the 20-year-old to win an MVP award in the next two years. Derrick Rose is currently the youngest player to achieve the feat, as the former Chicago Bulls point guard hoisted the trophy when he was 22 years old.

It's still a massive compliment from Green, who has earned his fair share of accolades throughout his career. The four-time champion is also a four-time All-Star, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2017.

Although it may take a bit longer for Wembanyama to enter MVP discussions, it's a testament to his incredible first season that veteran All-Stars such as Green are already projecting a bright future for him before the end of his rookie campaign.

Victor Wembanyama has already had his fair share of posterizing dunks this season, but he became the victim of one in the San Antonio Spurs' 112-102 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday.

Late in the fourth quarter Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis drove into the lane and went fearlessly to the rim, becoming one of the first players to dunk on Wembanyama early in his career.

TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS MY GOODNESS 😱 pic.twitter.com/n6cF5bvDpf

— NBA (@NBA) March 12, 2024

The dunk was a rare sight given how well Wembanyama has defended around the rim. The rookie leads the league in blocks at 3.4 per game, and it's not often a player is willing to go up against him. The poster stunned NBA fans on social media.

https://twitter.com/GameOnSteph_/status/1767373383778340898

uh Wemby just got postered

— JOELVENILE (@joelvenile) March 12, 2024

TRAYCE JACKSON DAVIS JUST POSTERED WEMBY!!!! pic.twitter.com/SBHYeLWrkE

— B͓̊r͓̊i͓̊å͓n͓̊ F͓̊M͓̊P͓̊ (@FadeMyPlay) March 12, 2024

WOW. He got that angle and brought the hammer down on Wemby. Good move https://t.co/C87jUWuGgz

— Christopher Smith (@infinitewords14) March 12, 2024

https://twitter.com/WEMBYSPUR1/status/1767373751602041069

Did not have Wemby getting postered on my bingo card for today

— Strevy (@SirStrevy) March 12, 2024

OMG WEMBY JUST GOT POSTERED

— KG (@KG_TOSU) March 12, 2024

I’ve seen enough start that rook TJD HE JUST DUNKED ON WEMBY BROOOOOO pic.twitter.com/IS2nqtSOvg

— 🪬🏆Warrior Wintality🏆🪬 (@yessirskidubs) March 12, 2024

Oh my god Wemby just got dunked on so hard 😭😭😭

— Prez💊 ‘ (@PresidentEmbiid) March 12, 2024

@TrayceJackson just dunked on Wemby!!! pic.twitter.com/91tRBr1dIx

— THE Chair (@TheChair_IU) March 12, 2024

Trayce Jackson-Davis tonight:

13 PTS
11 REB
5 AST
6-7 FG

And yammed on Wemby. pic.twitter.com/I6H0BdEelt

— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 12, 2024

https://twitter.com/30problemz/status/1767373611864658295

The dunk was a sore spot in what was otherwise another outstanding game from Wembanyama. He put up 27 points, 15 rebounds and a pair of blocks.

The dunk for Jackson-Davis added to what has been an impressive year for the rookie. Despite being taken with the third-to-last pick in the 2023 NBA draft, Jackson-Davis has made a name for himself with Golden State, putting up 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game. It's clear Jackson-Davis has potential, and he now has a highlight to add to his reel.

It was also a positive night all around for the Warriors. They got their first win without Steph Curry this season and responded to a loss to the Spurs on Saturday. Golden State still has a long way to go, sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference, but the win showed the Warriors can beat the teams they should when Curry isn't on the floor.

Despite the San Antonio Spurs' record of 13-50, members of the organization aren't overly concerned with speculation regarding Victor Wembanyama eventually growing frustrated with losing seasons.

ESPN's Zach Lowe said that he "heard nobody within the Spurs say they're worried about this in any possible way" other than finding an established guard to pair alongside the standout rookie during the latest edition of the Lowe Post podcast (1:14:00 mark).

On Friday, Lowe wrote that talk of Wembanyama's "restlessness" at the bottom of the standings presents an opportunity for San Antonio to immediately start building around the 20-year-old.

While the Spurs weren't expected to contend for a playoff spot in Wembanyama's inaugural season, their struggles have been on full display regardless. Although San Antonio has drafted several promising young players in recent years such as Devin Vassell and Malaki Branham, the team has remained in the lower half of the Western Conference standings.

Wembanyama's immediate strong play could incentivize the Spurs' front office to operate with more urgency moving forward, although it doesn't appear that losing has the former No. 1 overall pick envisioning a future elsewhere before his rookie season is over.

"I mean, of course it's not easy," Wembanyama said on Dec. 11 about losses piling up, per ESPN's Andrew Lopez. "But we don't have a choice. We have to keep going and keep grinding. The good thing is nobody doubts that in the long run we'll be the winners. We have people who have the expertise and experience. Of course, I hate losing. But I stay focused on the long-term goal."

The 7'4" phenom has met the lofty expectations that were placed on him ahead of the 2023 draft, averaging 20.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, while his 3.4 blocks each night represent the highest mark in the NBA.

The Spurs own the rights to all of their future first-round picks in addition to unprotected first-round selections from the Atlanta Hawks in 2025 and 2027. This gives the front office some flexibility to build around Wembanyama through the draft or package the picks to acquire a potential All-Star-caliber talent.

Victor Wembanyama has taken the NBA by storm in his rookie season, combining the rare combination of length, athleticism, rim protection and finesse en route to averaging 20.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and an NBA-leading 3.4 blocks per game.

And his younger brother Oscar could be next.

The 16-year-old already stands 6'7" in height, per multiple sites, and is playing for the LDLC ASVEL U-21 team in France.

Here's a clip from last year:

Granted, younger brothers of exceptionally talented players from Europe don't always prove to be stars in their own right—Kostas and Alex Antetokounmpo haven't had anywhere close to the same success as two-time MVP Giannis (Thanasis is two years older than Giannis).

And it's far too early to tell what trajectory Oscar Wembanyama might take in his basketball career. He's only 16, after all.

But he at least has an advantageous height to play at the next level.

The San Antonio Spurs announced that forward Victor Wembanyama will miss his team's game against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday with a right ankle sprain, via ESPN's Andrew Lopez.

The wildly touted rookie has largely lived up to the hype despite the Spurs' on-court troubles. He's averaging 20.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and an NBA-high 3.4 blocks while shooting 46.9 percent from the floor and acting as a defensive fulcrum in the middle.

While there are clearly some growing pains in San Antonio's young roster, Wembanyama's presence alone is providing hope for the future. Any extended absence will make the Spurs borderline unwatchable and put them on the shortlist of worst teams in the NBA with the Pistons.

Everyone inside and outside of San Antonio will have their fingers crossed Wemby is back on the floor sooner than later.

Without Wembanyama for now, the Spurs should turn to Zach Collins to play more down low. Collins is posting 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 23.1 minutes per game. Also look for Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan to contribute more as well.

It's unclear how much additional time Wembanyama may miss with the injury, but up ahead is a home-and-home series with the Golden State Warriors beginning Saturday in San Francisco.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green expressed his belief Wednesday that San Antonio Spurs superstar rookie Victor Wembanyama should not win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award despite his stellar debut season.

Speaking on The Volume's Draymond Green Show, Green suggested that San Antonio's poor team defense should preclude Wembanyama from being named Defensive Player of the Year:

"He'll have these numbers and he'll have opportunities to win Defensive Player of the Years. I personally don't think that is this year. Even if [Minnesota Timberwolves center] Rudy Gobert wasn't having the year that he's having and their team wasn't having the season that they're having, I still don't think you can give that award to somebody who's on the 24th-best defense in the league."

.@Money23Green tells us why he doesn't have Wemby winning DPOY this season pic.twitter.com/rcizeVbG0L

— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 6, 2024

The 7'4" Wembanyama was one of the most-hyped NBA draft prospects in recent memory, and he went first overall to the Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft. Remarkably, it can be argued that he has been even better than expected.

In 56 games this season, the 20-year-old Frenchman is averaging 20.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals and a league-leading 3.4 blocks per contest.

Along with leading the NBA in blocks per game and total blocks, Wemby is 12th in rebounds per game, 14th in steals per game 10th in defensive win shares and third in defensive rating.

However, to Green's point, the Spurs are the worst team in the Western Conference at 13-49, and they allow 120.2 points per game, which is 25th in the NBA.

By comparison, Gobert is averaging 12.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game in a resurgent season. He also leads the NBA in defensive win shares and defensive rating, and the 43-19 T-Wolves have the NBA's best defense, allowing just 106.5 points per game, which is nearly three points per game better than any other team.

That, coupled with Gobert's pedigree as a three-time Defensive Player of the Year already, has to make him the odds-on favorite to win the award this year.

Green, who is a one-time NBA DPOY in his own right, seems to see greatness and plenty of awards in Wembanyama's future, but crowning him as a rookie may be a bit premature.

The fact that Wembanyama is even in the DPOY conversation while playing for one of the NBA's worst teams is a testament to his ability and suggests he will likely dominate the NBA for years to come.

As the Rookie of the Year race continues, fans got another exciting battle between the two favorites for the award, Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-118 Thursday night.

As expected, the matchup delivered as the two rising stars went at it. Holmgren put up 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Wembanyama had 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. The league's blocks leader also added five rejections to his impressive stat line.

The duel between Wembanyama and Holmgren had fans excited for the matchups to come between the two.

Chet vs. Wemby is the next LeBron vs. Curry rivalry 😤

(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/rJgJ7M4hBb

— FanDuel (@FanDuel) March 1, 2024

WEMBY BLOCKS CHET 😤

CLUTCH DEFENSE. pic.twitter.com/wZBh9Cqxoq

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 1, 2024

Chet vs. Wemby did not disappoint in the first half 👏

Chet: 19 PTS | 3  REB | 1 AST | 1 BLK
Wemby: 14PTS | 7 REB | 4 AST | 3 BLK

Spurs lead 69-64. pic.twitter.com/7QFnUpHace

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 1, 2024

Chet vs. Wemby is so damn good right now. Again.

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 1, 2024

Wemby and Chet restoring the rivalry feeling in the nba

— Michael G🇬🇷 (@Michael_Grigs26) March 1, 2024

oh man Chet vs. Wemby is DELIVERING right now.

— Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) March 1, 2024

Chet vs. Wemby is going to feed families for at least a decade and a half pic.twitter.com/em9VJEBUyv

— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) March 1, 2024

Wemby Chet been a elite war

— year 23 (@johnrivers131) March 1, 2024

Wemby and Chet both hooping man

— 👑 𝓝𝓲𝓬𝓴 👑 (@neverbeenequal) March 1, 2024

Wemby v. Chet is a must see. I love that these dudes are as competitive as they are with each other.

— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) March 1, 2024

With Wembanyama putting on the better performance, many fans declared this the end of the Rookie of the Year battle. Of course, there's still plenty of season left for Holmgren to try and make up for Thursday's game.

Omg. Wemby just ended the ROY race. It’s over pic.twitter.com/K5nci2D8Se

— Lore'n'Spurs (@Lore_spurs) March 1, 2024

Wemby just hit a logo 3, another 3 and then smothered Chet's stepback. ROY race is over.

— Nick "Single Issue Voter,M4A" Adams (@alsonickadams) March 1, 2024

Wemby showing y’all who the ROY is

— Mike Flowers, II (@miguelfloresdos) March 1, 2024

Spurs beat the Thunder, 132-118

Victor Wembanyama had 28 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks and 2 steals on 9/17 FG and 5/7 3P.

He becomes the first player in NBA history with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 blocks and 5 3-pointers in a game.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) March 1, 2024

Wemby just won ROY #OKCvsSAS

— i go by Ki (@kibirdie) March 1, 2024

Let’s go home. The ROY race is over. Wemby is a mad man.

— erc (@___EJM___) March 1, 2024

While Wembanyama and the Spurs took home the win on Thursday, the Thunder are enjoying a better season overall, sitting in second place in the West at 41-17 on the year while the Spurs sit in last place at 11-48.

Marcus Morris has agreed to a contract buyout with the San Antonio Spurs, The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania reported Thursday.

Morris, a 12-year veteran forward, will now become a free agent ahead of Friday's deadline for free agents to be eligible for the postseason, meaning he'll likely be in the mix to join a playoff contender.

Morris joined the Spurs at the trade deadline as a part of a three-team deal with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers. In 37 games with Philadelphia this season, Morris averaged 6.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Morris' veteran presence makes him a fitting candidate to join a team looking for an edge heading into the postseason. He's proven himself as a defender while also providing some offense off the bench.

A pair of Western Conference contenders have been linked to Morris since he was traded to the Spurs earlier this month.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of those candidates, as Morris has been mentioned as "leaning towards" signing with the team. The Timberwolves currently hold the top seed in the West at 42-17 and look poised for a decent playoff run behind Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, but with not much postseason experience, adding the veteran Morris could be a valuable move.

There have also been stirrings of Morris among the Dallas Mavericks. Markieff Morris, Marcus' brother and a current Maverick, posted a cryptic message on X earlier this month indicating that his team might be interested in adding Morris.

While that might have been wishful thinking on Markieff's part, Morris would be a fit in Dallas, who holds the seventh seed in the West but needs some defense to make a playoff run.

Whatever team Morris lands with will be getting a boost as the postseason nears.

San Antonio Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama has shown flashes of dominance in his young NBA career, and his head coach couldn't help but be impressed.

While speaking to Andscape's Marc J. Spears, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said he feels the 20-year-old Frenchman has already exceeded expectations.

"It's more than I expected as far as the stats are concerned," Popovich said. "I didn't know he was going to lead the league in shot blocking."

In addition to Wembanyama averaging a league-high 3.3 blocks per game, he's also producing 20.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals.

Victor Wembanyama is the YOUNGEST player in NBA history to record a 5x5 (PTS-REB-AST-STL-BLK) game 📊

27 PTS
10 REB
8 AST
5 BLK
5 STL

Wembanyama completed this 5x5 game in 30 minutes and 55 seconds, the fewest minutes ever played in such a game 🤯 pic.twitter.com/oenPznGOKM

— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2024

Popovich made a lofty comparison to one of the Hall of Famers he had the pleasure of coaching.

"It's kind of like the David Robinson thing," he said. "We'd finish a game and start taking David for granted so much. We'd say, 'Damn, David, did he rebound tonight? What did he score tonight?' I'm thinking he got 12, 15 points. And you look at the stats and was 24 points and 11 rebounds and three blocks. And you didn't realize it while the game was going on because you expect it from him."

Wembanyama's success hasn't yet translated to team success, as the Spurs rank last in the Western Conference with an 11-48 record.

Still, if his rookie year so far is any indication, the future is bright for both Wembanyama and San Antonio.

San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama achieved an impressive feat Friday night, joining Michael Jordan as the only other player with five steals and five blocks in back-to-back games.

For Wembanyama, the stats don't matter without a win, which he didn't get in either game.

"I wonder if he did it in wins, not losses," Wembanyama said. "To me, it's secondary. Hopefully… we can look back & think this is a good performance. As of today, I can't be satisfied with a loss."

Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama on joining Michael Jordan w/ back-to-back 5-steal, 5-block games: “I wonder if he did it in wins, not losses. To me, it’s secondary. Hopefully… we can look back & think this is a good performance. As of today, I can’t be satisfied with a loss.” pic.twitter.com/ITAd0bupxr

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 24, 2024

On Thursday in the Spurs first game back from the All-Star break, Wembanyama notched 19 points, 13 rebounds, five blocks and five steals against the Sacramento Kings. He followed up that game with 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five blocks and five steals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Impressive stat lines in a Spurs loss have unfortunately been a theme for Wembanyama this season. San Antonio currently sits in last place in the Western Conference at 11-46 on the year and has won just one of its last 10 games.

Amid the Spurs' struggles, Wembanyama is averaging 20.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He has made a strong case for being one of the best defensive players in the NBA already, leading the league in blocks with 3.3 per game and also collecting 1.3 steals per game.

Wembanyama also joined a Spurs legend David Robinson and Shaquille O'Neal as the only rookies to reach 1,000 points, 150 blocks and 150 assists through 50 games.

Wembanyama made it clear that while he might enjoy putting up big numbers, they mean nothing to him without a win. If the Spurs' young core can figure things out, the wins will likely start to come eventually.