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Victor Wembanyama did what he had to do by signing a five-year extension with the San Antonio Spurs projected to be about $50 million less than the supermax deal he could have signed.
That was the best way for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to maximize his chances of reaching his ultimate goal of winning a championship.
But it's a shame he was put in a position where this felt necessary on his very first extension... in the same league some penny-pinching owners aren't willing to do the same. When he's worth so much more to the Spurs than even the deal he didn't sign. Something isn't right about that picture.
Wembanyama was applauded for taking less money, which should help the Spurs retain Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper when they're due for extensions, and continue building a contender around those three. The Spurs know better than most how well that strategy can work after losing the NBA Finals to a Knicks juggernaut made possible because Jalen Brunson took less money on his 2024 extension.
But as new National Basketball Players Association executive director David Kelly said the same day Wembanyama signed his extension, that burden shouldn't be on the players.
He's right. The collective bargaining agreement has made it so that players in the prime of their earning potential feel more obligated to sacrifice money more than the owners swimming in it. The second apron acts almost as a hard cap, giving owners an excuse not to spend more, even penalizing teams that draft too well.
Unless a star player opts for less money. Which can become its own problem, because Wembanyama doing so puts pressure on Castle and Harper to do the same if they ever become supermax eligible. It also puts pressure on stars from other teams to do the same... or be viewed as someone who doesn't care about winning. And that's completely unfair.
Wembanyama didn't do anything wrong. He's simply working within the system there for him to work in. The same system that killed free agency and forced the Celtics to trade Jaylen Brown for pennies. The system that makes the Clippers alleged attempt to pay a player more than allowed seem noble.
But his below-market deal does set a bad precedent. The players would be wise to seek a fix when it's time to negotiate a new CBA.
Over the weekend, Conor McGregor made his return to UFC after five years only for the fight to end in the first round due to a knee injury. McGregor described his disappointment in a series of tweets, writing "I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell."
However, as dejected as McGregor appeared after the fight, he said that won't be the last time we see him in the octagon.
More: Dana White ripped his own company in NSFW rant after UFC 329
"I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return," McGregor tweeted.
This was For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Something isn't right about Victor Wembanyama having to take less money to help the Spurs
Continue reading...
That was the best way for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to maximize his chances of reaching his ultimate goal of winning a championship.
But it's a shame he was put in a position where this felt necessary on his very first extension... in the same league some penny-pinching owners aren't willing to do the same. When he's worth so much more to the Spurs than even the deal he didn't sign. Something isn't right about that picture.
Wembanyama was applauded for taking less money, which should help the Spurs retain Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper when they're due for extensions, and continue building a contender around those three. The Spurs know better than most how well that strategy can work after losing the NBA Finals to a Knicks juggernaut made possible because Jalen Brunson took less money on his 2024 extension.
But as new National Basketball Players Association executive director David Kelly said the same day Wembanyama signed his extension, that burden shouldn't be on the players.
He's right. The collective bargaining agreement has made it so that players in the prime of their earning potential feel more obligated to sacrifice money more than the owners swimming in it. The second apron acts almost as a hard cap, giving owners an excuse not to spend more, even penalizing teams that draft too well.
Unless a star player opts for less money. Which can become its own problem, because Wembanyama doing so puts pressure on Castle and Harper to do the same if they ever become supermax eligible. It also puts pressure on stars from other teams to do the same... or be viewed as someone who doesn't care about winning. And that's completely unfair.
Wembanyama didn't do anything wrong. He's simply working within the system there for him to work in. The same system that killed free agency and forced the Celtics to trade Jaylen Brown for pennies. The system that makes the Clippers alleged attempt to pay a player more than allowed seem noble.
But his below-market deal does set a bad precedent. The players would be wise to seek a fix when it's time to negotiate a new CBA.
Conor McGregor is in a dark place
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Over the weekend, Conor McGregor made his return to UFC after five years only for the fight to end in the first round due to a knee injury. McGregor described his disappointment in a series of tweets, writing "I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell."
However, as dejected as McGregor appeared after the fight, he said that won't be the last time we see him in the octagon.
More: Dana White ripped his own company in NSFW rant after UFC 329
"I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return," McGregor tweeted.
Gallery of the Day
Quick hits: Alcaraz message to Sinner ... Haaland bows out ... and more
- Carlos Alcaraz had a classy message for Jannik Sinner after his Wimbledon repeat.
- Erling Haaland gave the classiest statement after Norway's World Cup run came to an end.
- Dana White hilariously explained how Sophie Cunningham landed the ring girl gig at UFC 329.
- Mics picked up an umpire's NSFW reaction to taking a foul ball to the groin.
This was For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Something isn't right about Victor Wembanyama having to take less money to help the Spurs
Continue reading...
