Victor Wembanyama has undeniably become a force in the NBA, and in his third season, he's transformed the San Antonio Spurs into serious contenders. At just 23, could he become the youngest MVP in league history?
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson certainly believes it's possible. “He’s as big a needle-mover for his team to win as anybody,” Johnson remarked before the Spurs faced the Brooklyn Nets.
He highlighted Wembanyama's all-around game - offense, defense, and everything in between - as key factors that put him in the MVP conversation. “It would be hard for someone to make a logical argument as to why he’s not in that conversation.”
Wembanyama's impact is clear, leading the Spurs to a stellar 42-16 record, the third-best in the NBA. His stats are eye-popping: 24.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, with shooting splits of .503/.353/.812. He’s one of just six players putting up 24-plus points on 50 percent shooting, joining elite company like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and Austin Reaves.
Defensively, Wembanyama is a game-changer. He tops the league with 3.9 stocks (steals + blocks) per game, outpacing the next best, Scottie Barnes, by 0.8. The Spurs' defense improves dramatically with him on the court, allowing 10.6 fewer points per 100 possessions, the second-best swing in the NBA, just behind Rudy Gobert.
Currently, Wembanyama holds the fifth-best MVP odds at +3300, trailing Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic, Cade Cunningham, and Luka Doncic. To stay in the MVP race, he must be cautious, as he can only miss three more games to remain eligible. The stakes are high, but Wembanyama’s blend of talent and impact keeps him firmly in the MVP spotlight.