Victor Wembanyama had one of the busiest summers an NBA player can have. In addition to 71 games in his debut season, he competed in six Olympic basketball games and other FIBA events with Team France. In his second NBA season, he looked like an All-NBA player, averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.8 blocks per game before a blood clot diagnosis cut his season short. He is anticipated to return next season, though he has previously stated that he hopes to play for France in the EuroBasket competition in August.
While both the San Antonio Spurs and fans would like to see him play this summer, a gradual return to the NBA schedule would be preferable, while the French expect him to participate. “We had Victor before his operation,” said French coach Frederic Fauthoux to L’Equipe last month. “He is eager to be part of the team. We’ll observe how his physical development improves. “We will make a decision when the time is right.” With Wembanyama, the French are the favourites to win the tournament. Without him, Serbia, Germany, Slovenia, Greece, and Spain would all have a better chance. For the Spurs, forcing him to skip the tournament could be the best approach.
Wembanyama was plainly not performing well at the start of the season, following a busy Olympic schedule. Through the first ten games, he averaged only 18.3 points and 10.2 rebounds, shooting far lower than his season averages from the floor and three.
Wembanyama has yet to experience a “full” NBA offseason. His French League career ended just ten days before the 2023 draft, and he competed in the Olympics last summer. As a result, he had a sluggish start in his sophomore season. With De’Aaron Fox in town and the Spurs’ playoff window officially open, encouraging their star to prioritize his NBA club may be necessary, even if it means having some difficult conversations.
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