Victor Wembanyama is still only heading into his fourth season, but the résumé is already starting to look like something out of a different era. The rim protection is unlike anything the league has seen, and the first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year award has already locked him into the conversation as one of the best defenders ever. If next season brings the kind of leap some are imagining, the bigger question may not be whether Wembanyama is great - it may be whether he’s already climbing past Nikola Jokic.
That sounds wild on the surface. Jokic is an offensive machine, a brilliant scorer and passer, and an unquestioned future Hall of Famer.
He also has the hardware that still gives him the edge right now: multiple MVP awards and the NBA championship he won over the Miami Heat in 2023. But the gap can shrink fast if Wembanyama stacks an MVP and a title on top of what he’s already done.
The case gets even louder when you look at how quickly Wembanyama has piled up accomplishments. He reached the NBA Finals in his first playoff run and got there by going through the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jokic, by comparison, has only gotten past the second round twice in his career. That matters when you’re talking about all-time placement, because the resume comparison starts to tilt if Wembanyama adds a championship in Year 4.
There’s also the defensive side, and that’s where Wembanyama separates himself from almost everyone. Last season, as The Alien reminded everyone, defense was half the game and he was already top 5 all-time just on talent alone. An MVP season would almost certainly mean at least 65 games played, which would put him in position for a second DPOY award as well.
So before he turns 24, Wembanyama could be looking at two Defensive Player of the Year awards, an MVP, an NBA championship, and likely a Finals MVP too. That kind of pace would be hard to ignore, especially when it comes with dominance on both ends.
Jokic may still own the offensive crown. He might even be the greatest offensive center ever.
But Wembanyama’s value comes from a different kind of total control. He protects the rim, switches onto guards, wipes away teammates’ mistakes, and changes opposing game plans before the opening tip.
On offense, he brings Steph Curry-level gravity, scores in the paint, hits threes, and keeps getting better.
If both players prove they can be the best guy on a championship team, the one who owns both ends of the floor has the stronger argument in the all-time debate. Jokic’s place is secure for now, but greatness doesn’t sit still. If Wembanyama wins both the MVP and an NBA title next season, the case for putting him ahead of Jokic will be real.
In Other News...
Spurs Just Sent Keldon Johnson A Brutal Message About His Future
Keldon Johnson has long been part of the Spurs core conversation, but the roster math in San Antonio is getting tighter by the day. Recent moves have already shown where the franchise is leaning, with Julian Champagnie landing a three-year deal and the front office continuing to map out a group built around De'Aaron Fox, Tobias Harris and other newer pieces.
For Johnson, that shifts the focus from an easy long-term commitment to a more uncertain stretch ahead. The Spurs could keep him on the current deal and sort out the rest later, but the bigger picture now points toward a team that may be more willing to explore other paths than lock him in as a centerpiece. [Read more 🡒]
Mitch Johnson Faces A Spurs Problem Fans Once Would Have Loved
The Spurs are headed toward 2026-27 with a roster that looks more like a luxury than a problem, at least on paper. With De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama anchoring the top end and young pieces such as Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant adding to the mix, San Antonio suddenly has the kind of depth that can support a real playoff push and give coach Mitch Johnson plenty of ways to mix and match.
But depth brings its own headaches, and this one is the kind fans used to dream about. Johnson will have to sort out a rotation crowded with capable players, manage the balance between winning and keeping everyone engaged, and make sure the minutes are spread in a way that keeps the roster happy enough to stay sharp when the games matter most. [Read more 🡒]
Spurs May Have Finally Fixed What Cost Them In The Finals
The Spurs came out of the Finals with a clear diagnosis of what went wrong, and it was less about talent than about the final possessions. Against the Knicks, the games tightened late and San Antonio repeatedly came up short in the fourth quarter, a reminder that the margin between a title and a near miss can be decided by a handful of clean looks, one stop or a steadier hand when the pressure spikes.
That is why the front office spent the offseason looking for help that could ease the burden on Victor Wembanyama and give the offense another reliable option when the clock gets thin. Wembanyama carried a heavy load and looked worn down by the end of the series, so the Spurs added a veteran scorer with playoff experience to help them survive those closing minutes better next season. [Read more 🡒]