“One of the Best”: Giannis Antetokounmpo Makes Attention-Grabbing Victor Wembanyama Prediction
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is already thinking about Victor Wembanyama’s place in NBA history — and in his personal memorabilia collection.
Speaking about the San Antonio Spurs’ 7-foot-4 phenom, Antetokounmpo said he believes Wembanyama is poised to become “one of the best players in the league” within the next few seasons.
“I want Wemby’s first rookie card ever,” Antetokounmpo told The Athletic. “I think he’s gonna be one of the best players in the league in the next couple of years.”
Antetokounmpo also mentioned he is eyeing other pieces of Wembanyama memorabilia, viewing them as long-term investments given the young star’s potential.
“I think he will have a very great career moving forward,” he said. “So maybe like a jersey, his first jersey or his first basketball shoe when he played his first NBA game, or the first ball that he played with and scored his very first point. You gotta go with Wemby, Steph (Curry), LeBron (James), MJ (Michael Jordan). Those are great investments.”
Victor Wembanyama’s Early NBA Career Fueling High Expectations
Wembanyama has met high expectations through his first two NBA seasons, averaging 22.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.7 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. He was in contention for Defensive Player of the Year last season before his campaign was cut short after 46 games.
The 21-year-old was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder in February, a form of blood clotting that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He was cleared to resume basketball activities last month and is expected to be fully available for the start of the 2025-26 season in October.
Determined to enhance his durability and conditioning, Wembanyama has turned to unconventional training methods during the offseason. He incorporated Kung Fu into his workouts and spent time at a Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, China, focusing on body control, flexibility, and mental discipline.
San Antonio Spurs Shift to Win-Now Mode Around Victor Wembanyama
San Antonio is aiming to transition from a rebuilding team to a playoff contender. Sources indicated to FastbreakJournal.com after last season’s trade deadline that the acquisition of De’Aaron Fox was made with an eye toward the 2025-26 campaign, with the goal of building a competitive roster around Wembanyama.
The upcoming season marks Wembanyama and Fox’s first full year as teammates. The Spurs also feature a young core that includes Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Jeremy Sochan, and Carter Bryant. After showing flashes of improvement last season, San Antonio will attempt to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
While the Spurs did not make major additions in free agency, they signed veteran center Luke Kornet to a four-year, $40.7 million contract. The deal was structured to preserve long-term salary cap flexibility, with a descending salary and minimal guarantees in the final seasons. Sources told FastbreakJournal.com that San Antonio valued Kornet’s experience from a winning environment and viewed him as a short-term complement to Wembanyama.
Could the San Antonio Spurs Target Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Future?
The Spurs’ approach to roster construction has left them positioned to pursue a major trade acquisition in the future, should an opportunity arise. That includes monitoring Antetokounmpo’s situation in Milwaukee.
Sources told FastbreakJournal.com that San Antonio showed limited interest in pursuing Kevin Durant in a trade last season, valuing Antetokounmpo as a more ideal long-term target due to his age and alignment with Wembanyama’s competitive timeline. Despite being on Durant’s list of preferred trade destinations, the Spurs opted to preserve their draft assets and cap flexibility rather than make an aggressive push for a player nearing 37 years old.
Antetokounmpo has not indicated he is unhappy in Milwaukee. The Bucks have continued to reshape the roster around him, including the recent acquisition of center Myles Turner. Still, San Antonio is among the teams monitoring Antetokounmpo’s future, knowing the idea of pairing him with Wembanyama could become an appealing scenario if circumstances change.
For now, Antetokounmpo’s praise of Wembanyama signals mutual respect between two of the NBA’s most unique stars, but it leaves open the possibility of their paths crossing more significantly down the road.
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