Victor Wembanyama has committed his long-term future to the San Antonio Spurs after agreeing a five-year maximum rookie contract extension worth $252 million.
The deal, which was agreed on Friday, includes a player option for the final season and keeps the French star tied to the Spurs through the end of the 2031-32 campaign.
Wembanyama confirmed the news himself on social media, posting: “Spurs family, I’m here to stay. Whatever it takes.”
Despite being eligible for a larger contract worth up to $303 million through supermax escalators, Wembanyama opted for the lower figure after discussions with the franchise over a number of different options.
The decision could save San Antonio around $50 million over the length of the contract and gives the Spurs greater flexibility to continue building a championship-contending roster around their star player.
San Antonio were willing to offer the full supermax extension, but the 22-year-old instead chose a deal structure designed to benefit both himself and the organisation in the long term.
Another historic season for Spurs star
Wembanyama became eligible to negotiate a new contract after San Antonio’s NBA Finals defeat by the New York Knicks, which ended an impressive campaign for the young centre.
The Frenchman was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season after leading the league in blocks and earning a place in the All-NBA First Team.
He also made his second consecutive All-Star appearance and his first as a starter, becoming only the sixth player in Spurs history to start an All-Star game.
Last season he averaged career highs of 25 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, while also contributing 3.1 assists, 3.08 blocks and 1.03 steals per contest.
Wembanyama became just the seventh player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks across an entire season.
Spurs eye another title challenge
San Antonio’s emergence as a genuine contender was one of the stories of last season as they reached the NBA Finals before losing to the Knicks in five games.
Reflecting on the campaign after the series defeat, Wembanyama said: “This has been a hell of a year in terms of experience.
“I don’t think we could have learned more and gained more experience in one playoff run and in one season, and personally in 18 months. It’s been hard and full of lessons.”
The Spurs will return much of the core that powered their run to the Finals, including De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie alongside Wembanyama.
That starting five posted a 21-3 regular-season record and finished with a net rating of plus-18.5 points per 100 possessions, the second-best mark in the NBA behind champions Oklahoma City.
