Slow and Steady: Why Spurs' Patience is Key to Victor Wembanyama's Development

In the past, the Spurs have proven that patience regarding roster changes and future prospects pays off, and when it comes to Victor Wembanyama, that same approach will likely put them in a similarly positive situation.

When former San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors, a new sentiment within the South-Texas city was born, and it wasn't pretty.

In the seven years "The Claw" was with Hall-of-Fame coach Gregg Popovich and company, he made it very clear that he was set to become one of the league's best talents. In fact, many Spurs fans expected him to be the frontman for their team's continued success after the 2014 Finals. Unfortunately for them, they were hit with a rude awakening. 

Leonard wanted out, and in doing so, he left the Spurs with a sense of hopelessness. Things weren't the same after that trade, no matter how good DeMar DeRozan or LaMarcus Aldridge were. Everything seemed to be sunk, and it certainly was. 

Last season, San Antonio brought on-board a new young star in Jeremy Sochan, who was the product of another sub-par season the year prior. Adding Sochan was good, but he also wasn't going to instantly turn San Antonio into a title contender. 

So once again, the Spurs had to be patient. Just like they were when they drafted David Robinson, and how they'd been in all of the years prior to Popovich's first title.

But also like the times before, patience seemed to work. Robinson won a title, and Popovich turned a front-office position into a 27-year historic career in San Antonio that still isn't over. This time, however, the payoff came in the form of Victor Wembanyama.

The rookie is officially a Spur, right down to his love for culture and art, and he's set to turn San Antonio into a city of winners once again, though not without help. 

"The Spurs chose to be patient in building the franchise around Victor Wembanyama this summer, using their cap space to absorb contracts and collect future draft picks," Bleacher Report wrote. "For now, seeing how Wembanyama fits with this young core and making evaluations from there is the right choice." 

The idea of holding off on trading big isn't something every franchise is open to, especially with stars like James Harden and Damian Lillard set to be on the move, but in order to maximize their potential next season, it certainly was the right move for San Antonio. 

Wembanyama could require a different set of skills from a co-star than either Harden or Lillard could offer, especially as they near the latter stages of their careers. Plus, the young talent surrounding the French phenom made huge strides development wise last season and will likely do the same this year under Popovich.

"With an NBA-high $55.3 million in projected salary cap space next summer ... and first-round picks owed from [multiple teams] the Spurs could cash in their chips for some veteran help at any time," Bleacher Report continued.

"At any time" is a nice form of insurance for the Spurs. Having the cap room they have with the picks they do sets them up to accommodate Wembanyama in any way they can, but once again, that route will require patience. 

Unfortunately for some Spurs fans, that means that no other NBA superstar will likely take the court alongside Wembanyama this season. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. 

In fact, if San Antonio's decision to wait to build around its young core goes anything like its the ones before it, the Spurs really could be gearing up for a deep Western Conference run in the near future.

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