Can Spurs Make Play-In Drafting Victor Wembanyama?

Victor Wembanyama could improve the San Antonio Spurs' outlook tremendously, but can he reach the postseason in his rookie year?

Jeremy Brener | Apr 28, 2023

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San Antonio Spurs

For the first time in 26 years, the San Antonio Spurs aren't playing any games after the middle of April. It's just the second time in this millennium that the Spurs aren't playing in the postseason, and San Antonio wants to make it back there.

While the Spurs are committed to a long rebuild, their plans certainly become easier if San Antonio lands the No. 1 pick to select Victor Wembanyama from France. However, ESPN believes it still may be a challenge for San Antonio to make noise next season by just taking Wembanyama.

"Wembanyama is exceptionally talented, but he probably can't do it all himself, and San Antonio might be better off staying somewhat neutral in year one," ESPN writes. "With organic player development and smart signings, the Spurs should certainly improve on 22 wins, but getting into the play-in mix in a crowded West will require them to vault into the 40-win range. It's certainly possible they come close if everything breaks right."

Wembanyama changes the trajectory of the Spurs, but he doesn't fix all of their problems, at least for next season. The Spurs are just starting their rebuild and are trying to figure out which players could be around for the long haul. Other than Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, no other player has proven for multiple seasons that he can be productive.

There are definitely some exciting prospects worth investing in, namely Jeremy Sochan and Malaki Branham, but that's part of the rebuild. As the years go on, the Spurs will accrue the assets necessary to get off the ground and roll towards the top of the Western Conference ... and Wembanyama accelerates the process.

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Published Apr 28, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.