NBA

Spurs optimistic about Victor Wembanyama’s return as they reportedly eye two former NBA MVPs

The San Antonio Spurs have high expectations for the upcoming season—not only due to the recovery of Victor Wembanyama but also because of their reported interest in two former NBA MVP players.

Victor Wembanyama has been out of NBA action since February
© Ronald Cortes/Getty ImagesVictor Wembanyama has been out of NBA action since February

The last few seasons for the San Antonio Spurs have been far from exciting for fans. The team has gone nearly a decade without being serious contenders in the Western Conference and hasn’t made the playoffs in the past six years. However, there now appears to be growing optimism, fueled not only by the physical recovery of Victor Wembanyama but also by reports that they are eyeing two NBA superstars who have won MVP honors in the past.

On one hand, news regarding Wembanyama continues to trend in a positive direction. The center missed the final months of this past season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder, diagnosed in late February. A little over three months later, his recovery is progressing well, and the expectation is that he will be available in the near future.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, who appeared recently on The Pat McAfee Show, the Spurs expect Wemby to be ready to rejoin the team by training camp, giving him enough time to be in top condition for the start of the 2025–26 season.

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Alongside that encouraging update, Charania added that San Antonio may pursue a superstar to strengthen the roster. “I think (the Spurs) are going to be looking to see, ‘Is there a wing player that we can bring in?’” said the reporter. “Whether it’s a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo… Kevin Durant is another guy. There was mutual interest at the deadline.”

Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns fell short of the playoffs this season.

Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns fell short of the playoffs this season.

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What’s the situation with Giannis?

Even before the Milwaukee Bucks‘ early playoff exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, there was already speculation surrounding Giannis’s potential departure. While Milwaukee remains hopeful that the power forward will prioritize his loyalty to the franchise that selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 Draft, this could be the year he decides to move on.

Ex-Celtics player breaks down why Giannis Antetokounmpo might leave the Bucks

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“Giannis Antetokounmpo is in the process of figuring things out,” Charania revealed. “I’m told that process is ongoing and he hasn’t had that meeting with the Bucks yet.” Antetokounmpo’s desire to be part of a truly competitive team could be a deciding factor in his future—and that’s where the Spurs might come into play.

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Is Kevin Durant a real possibility for the Spurs?

Just like Giannis, Kevin Durant’s future became a talking point across the NBA during the final months of the 2024–25 regular season. The underwhelming performance of the Phoenix Suns fueled speculation about the 2014 MVP’s potential departure, and Charania has now confirmed there was mutual interest with San Antonio.

At the time, KD made it clear he wasn’t looking to switch teams midseason. But now, with the Suns out of the playoffs and a long offseason ahead before training camps begin, circumstances may be very different.

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In both Durant’s and Antetokounmpo’s cases, the question remains: do the Spurs have what it takes to be an attractive destination for players of that caliber? With the last two Rookie of the Year winners, Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, the strong play De’Aaron Fox showed since his arrival, and the No. 2 pick in this year’s NBA Draft, the answer increasingly seems to be yes.

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