Victor Wembanyama began his third season on proverbial hearth. Nonetheless, this was dampened by what has change into the second scariest set of phrases on any harm report: “calf pressure.” That is in fact as a result of the phrases that strike essentially the most worry are: “Achilles tear,” and after three stars went down with that harm final playoffs, groups method any calf harm with an abundance of warning. The trepidation is even compounded by the truth that Wembanyama is the tallest participant within the league, and former gamers with that title don’t have the very best harm historical past.
Wembanyama and the Spurs have executed their due diligence although, and Vic has handled his physique like a microchip lengthy earlier than his NBA profession. Nonetheless, the Spurs are cautious. All that is effectively and good, and the Spurs haven’t solely treaded water with out their finest participant, however they’ve really thrived with a report of 8-3 with out him. So there hasn’t been a must rush him again. That’s, in fact, until end-of-season awards matter to you.
Victor was enjoying at a First-Crew All-NBA stage earlier than he went down, averaging 26.2 factors and 12.9 rebounds per recreation with a +4.4 (96th percentile) in Estimated Plus-Mines per dunksandthrees.com and was creeping into the MVP dialog.
Gamers should play in at the very least 65 video games to qualify for end-of-season award ballots. Meaning a participant can solely miss 17 video games all season. Wembanyama is ready to overlook his twelfth recreation tonight within the Quarterfinals if the In-Season Match towards the Lakers. If he have been to return again as quickly as the following recreation (which can depend upon tonight’s outcomes), he would solely be capable to miss 5 extra video games for the remainder of the season to stay eligible.
Total, end-of-season awards are more than likely not the staff’s or Wembanyama’s important concern, for a number of causes. First, well being ought to take precedence above all else, adopted by successful; awards are then a byproduct of the latter. And whereas that’s the case more often than not, it isn’t essentially at all times true. On this CBA, participant wage potential is immediately tied to end-of-season awards. For Wembanyama, it’s the distinction between max extensions at 25 % of the cap and 30 %.
Fortuitously sufficient, Victor has discovered himself in a little bit of a fortunate state of affairs nested inside the unfortunate harm. He’s extension eligible on the finish of this season, however don’t anticipate him to signal one simply but. To be able to qualify for a 30 % designated rookie max extension, Wembanyama might want to both win MVP this 12 months or subsequent 12 months; obtain Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors both subsequent 12 months or each of final season and this season; or obtain All-NBA honors both subsequent 12 months or each of final season and this season.
Contemplating final 12 months’s outcomes can’t be modified, what issues most is subsequent season, leaving this season to have some respiratory room to get his physique appropriate. NBA awards are nice, and Victor will win many all through his profession, however the strain isn’t on till subsequent season. No matter what occurs this 12 months, anticipate him to forgo the extension till the top of his rookie contract in 2027.
The excellent news is that by the latest account from The Specific Information’ Jeff McDonald, Wembanyama could be very near returning, having practiced with the staff this week. He’ll be again quickly, and along with his additional time to get to 100%, it’s clear the concept is to play the lengthy recreation and look forward to the Playoffs.
