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.
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Why Seeing Former Jazz Players On The Lakers Hits Different
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The difference, of course, is how Jazz fans are supposed to feel about it. Minnesota was easy enough to watch from a distance, but the Lakers are another matter entirely, especially when those same former Jazz players can now affect Utah directly in the standings and the playoff chase. There is some irony in seeing ex-Jazz talent clustered in a place that can matter so much to the team they left behind, and that is what makes this one hit a little differently. [Read more 🡒]