Wemby Turned Down $50 Million — And Just Made the Spurs the Scariest Team in the NBA
Fresh off a stunning 62-20 regular season and a shocking ride to the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs could've gotten cocky. Instead, they got smarter — and then they got Tobias Harris.
This summer wasn't about flashy headlines. It was about keeping the band together, adding a veteran scorer and watching Victor Wembanyama turn down a bag of cash so the franchise can stay contenders for a decade. Yes, you read that right: Wemby sacrificed $50 million in guaranteed money to keep the core intact. That's Tim Duncan energy.
Offseason at a Glance
Key additions: F Tobias Harris
Key retentions: F Harrison Barnes
Key subtractions: None
After losing the Finals, the Spurs didn't blow it up. They added Harris on a two-year, $31 million deal — a 6-foot-8 wing who can defend, space the floor and create tough buckets when the shot clock is screaming. He fills a real hole on a roster that got exposed for its lack of frontcourt depth in the playoffs.
They also lost top assistant Sean Sweeney to the Orlando Magic's head coaching gig, but countered by bringing in Billy Donovan as the lead assistant alongside Mitch Johnson. That's a serious upgrade in brainpower.
The Wemby Discount Is a Franchise Shifter
Wembanyama was eligible for a 30% supermax worth $303 million. Instead, he signed a five-year, $252 million extension. That's a $50 million-plus savings for the front office — and a massive message to the rest of the league: Winning matters more to him than cashing out.
He told The Athletic, "often the potential of teams is not fulfilled because of money." So he took Tim Duncan's playbook, kept the payroll flexible, and put San Antonio in position to pay Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle when their extensions come due. This is how dynasties stay alive.
The Big Question: Fox or Harper?
Dylan Harper went off in the postseason and looks ready to be a star. De'Aaron Fox, despite a rough Finals and a high-ankle sprain, is still the veteran who helped get them there. Sources say the head coach will make the call based on what happens on the floor — not reputation or contract.
Johnson has talked about playing all three guards together in certain lineups. But last year, that trio got destroyed to the tune of a minus-26.9 net rating in 18 games. Still, with a full offseason together, maybe the chemistry finally catches up to the talent.
The X Factor: Tobias Harris
Harris is 34 and on the downslope, but he's the exact kind of veteran presence the Spurs were missing. He can be the reliable second wave off the bench, giving the second unit a scorer who doesn't need plays drawn up for him.
If he can fend off Father Time for one more season, San Antonio has a real shot at another Finals run.
Betting Window
One sharp move: Dylan Harper for Sixth Man of the Year at +800. He's got starter talent stuck in a sixth-man role because of the Spurs' depth. That's the kind of bet you feel good about when he's dropping 20 off the bench.
The Spurs are ranked No. 2 in ESPN's BPI projections. The roster is intact. The star is on a team-friendly deal. And they've got a chip on their shoulder after falling short.
Buckle up. The Wemby era is only just getting started — and it's about to get loud.