Victor Wembanyama’s new extension did more than lock in the Spurs’ franchise centerpiece. It also handed the Utah Jazz a useful talking point as they head toward Keyonte George’s next contract.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Wembanyama chose the 25% maximum rather than the 30% supermax escalators that could have pushed the deal to $303 million. Charania said the decision came after Wembanyama and the Spurs worked through multiple frameworks, and that it was a major choice for the All-NBA star and Defensive Player of the Year entering his fourth season.
Wembanyama’s move was about more than the paycheck. By taking less, he gave San Antonio more long-term flexibility, a sign that he wanted to be paid like a superstar without boxing the Spurs out from building the best possible roster around him.
That’s where Utah comes in. George’s extension is approaching, and the Jazz have every reason to want him around for the long haul.
He has made it clear in every way possible that he wants to stay, from his breakout on the floor to his actions off it. At the same time, he has earned the right to expect a significant raise.
He obviously isn’t on Wembanyama’s level as a player, but the Jazz still need to pay him. The catch is that the current CBA makes teams think twice before handing out big money too freely. If George is serious about being a team player, Utah can use the Wembanyama deal as a template for a conversation about balance: a contract that rewards him while preserving the flexibility the franchise wants.
There’s already evidence Utah is thinking that way. The Walker Kessler trade was not only about landing valuable assets from the Lakers; it also fit the Jazz’s broader goal of keeping future options open. Moving Kessler makes George’s next deal even more important.
The pitch to George is straightforward: the Jazz want to pay him, but they also want to stay in position to build something lasting. Whether that works depends on how much George is willing to meet them in the middle.
And that’s the same pressure facing a lot of teams right now. The NBA’s latest financial rules have made it harder than ever to keep a strong core together.
The Celtics just traded Jaylen Brown because they didn’t want to pay what he was going to ask for. The Knicks just let Mitchell Robinson go to the Celtic because they didn’t want to cross the NBA’s second tax apron.
Utah is dealing with the same reality. Wembanyama’s extension doesn’t solve the Jazz’s problem, but it does give them a cleaner way to frame it. The question now is whether George will play ball.
In Other News...
BYU Fans Know This Name And His Rise Just Got National
John Henry Daleys rise has already made him a familiar name in Utah circles, and his 2025 season at Utah pushed him onto the national radar in a big way. The senior edge rusher led the nation in tackles for loss, added first-team All-America honors and looked like one of the more disruptive defenders in the country before his season was cut short by an Achilles injury.
Now at Michigan, Daley is working his way back and the Wolverines are counting on him to become a major piece of a defense that will need proven help. His rehab is moving in the right direction, and the expectation is that he can be ready for the 2026 season, which would give Michigan a much-needed boost as it faces a demanding schedule. [Read more 🡒]
AJ Dybantsa Just Gave BYU Fans Another Reason To Believe
AJ Dybantsa kept building his Summer League case with another productive outing, scoring 23 points and adding seven rebounds in the Washington Wizards 104-85 win over the Sacramento Kings. For BYU fans, it was the kind of follow-up that matters just as much as the first splash, especially after he put up 27 against the Jazz and has now looked like a player who can carry that momentum from game to game.
The numbers have been strong enough to keep the conversation moving, with Dybantsa averaging 25 points per game in Summer League while also showing value on the defensive end. He finished with two blocks and three steals without committing a foul, a detail that should matter to anyone wondering how quickly his all-around game is translating as he heads toward his rookie season. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Just Got A Big 12 Reality Check Before The Season
At Big 12 football media days, Kalani Sitake made a point of brushing aside the preseason noise that tends to build around a program like BYU. He noted that the league no longer uses an official preseason media poll, and that alone seemed to fit his larger message: summer projections are usually more about conversation than they are about what happens once the games start.
Still, an unofficial poll put together by beat writers from the conferences 16 teams offered a little early intrigue, with Texas Tech drawing the most support and BYU landing near the top of the list. Sitake also said he is not interested in campaigning for College Football Playoff inclusion, preferring to keep the focus on how his team performs, a stance that feels especially relevant with a tricky early stretch ahead and a big Week 2 meeting with Arizona in Provo looming. [Read more 🡒]