Victor Wembanyama will need to win Defensive Player of the Year or be named to an All-NBA team in the 2026-27 season to qualify for the 30 percent Rookie Scale max extension. The San Antonio Spurs superstar missed the 65-game minimum in the 2024-25 season due to a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis after the All-Star break, which cost him eligibility for the full max deal.
The Spurs and Wembanyama are expected to finalize a five-year, $251 million extension this offseason. The deal includes language that could increase the total to $301 million if he meets the criteria. This structure mirrors the contract Luka Doncic signed after earning back-to-back All-NBA honors in 2021 and 2022.
Wembanyama is projected to reach All-NBA status again in 2026-27. He qualified for the honor last season despite playing only 64 games, thanks to his appearance in the NBA Cup final. However, any future awards, whether Defensive Player of the Year or Most Valuable Player, will require him to reach the 65-game threshold each season.
The stakes are high. Wembanyama will have up to $50 million in potential contract value on the line during the 2026-27 season. If he wins Defensive Player of the Year or earns All-NBA honors, the Spurs will trigger the max contract clause.
Another factor is whether Wembanyama receives a player option on his extension. Paolo Banchero is the only player since the 2018 draft to secure one on a rookie max deal. If Wembanyama earns a player option, it could allow him to pursue a 35 percent supermax in the future if he qualifies.
Wembanyama’s situation highlights the importance of durability for young stars in contract negotiations. His ability to stay healthy and perform at an elite level will determine not just his earnings, but also his standing among the league’s best.
The Spurs and Wembanyama are expected to announce the deal before July 1.
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