Victor Wembanyama could leave millions on table for Spurs

Victor Wembanyama might be willing to leave money on the table to help the Spurs build around him.The San Antonio superstar is considering signing a rookie-scale extension below the maximum value available to him, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, a move that would preserve more financial flexibility for the franchise.The report came after Wembanyama, 22, posted a cryptic message that seemingly addressed the extension talks.“Spurs family, I’m here to stay.Whatever it takes,” Wembanyama wrote on X with a black heart emoji.The French sensation didn’t explicitly reference his contract situation, but Fischer’s subsequent report raised the possibility that “whatever it takes” could include accepting less than the full amount available to him.

Wembanyama is eligible to sign a five-year, $251 million maximum rookie-scale extension this summer.The deal could grow to roughly $301 million if he qualifies for a higher maximum salary through certain league honors.Anything less than that number would go a long way toward helping the Spurs keep their young core together.

Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, who were selected near the top of the draft in consecutive years, could command massive rookie extensions of their own if they continue developing alongside Wembanyama.San Antonio has already made a major financial commitment to De’Aaron Fox, whose four-year, approximately $229 million extension begins with the 2026-27 season and runs through 2029-30.Fox is set to make approximately $55 million during the 2027-28 season, when Wembanyama’s next contract would begin.The Spurs also have five other players, including Devin Vassell at around $27 million, set to make $10 million or more next season.

Wembanyama accepting a less-than-max deal would provide breathing room under the NBA’s increasingly restrictive luxury-tax aprons that have been a massive strain on team-building in recent years.Earlier this offseason, the Knicks let Mitchell Robinson walk for Bos...