Durant just gave Wembanyama the perfect weapon to wreak havoc on the NBA

With the NBA Draft and the first few days of free agency giving the San Antonio Spurs three new players, it can be easy to overlook the offseason development of superstar Victor Wembanyama.

Usually, the improvement made between a young player's second and third season is dramatic, especially with a young star such as Wembanyama. A healthy and improved Wembanyama alone could be enough to help the Spurs jump into playoff contention next season.

However, he will have to add to his game. Recently, Kevin Durant, who was previously linked to the Spurs, mentioned that more stars should look to add a mid-range game to their offensive repertoires.

While the Spurs desperately need Wembanyama's ability to space the floor, Durant makes a valid point.

The Spurs need Victor Wembanyama to score more inside

Wembanyama, despite emerging as a stretch five, has yet to become a consistent threat from inside the arc. With him going from 220 lbs to 260 lbs over a two-year span since being drafted, he should be able to hold his position in the post better.

He may still have to contend with teams swarming him, but his being closer to the basket should also lead to higher percentage shots when guarded straight up next season. He'll also need to mix in more mid-range jumpers to his shot diet.

For the Spurs to thrive, they need Wembanyama to be aggressive, but his teammates have often failed to get him the ball. Having him operate more in the midrange should help increase his shot attempts.

Becoming a mid-range master will unlock Wembanyama's full potential

For inspiration, he can look no further than former Spur LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge was a dominant interior scorer but also was one of the most prolific mid-range shooters in the NBA. While he eventually emerged as a three-point shooter, his bread and butter was always the mid-range.

Wembanyama could still take nine threes a game, but with the help of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, he could take more mid-range jumpers. Although he isn't a particularly good screen setter, playing with three dynamic guards should give him plenty of pick-and-pop opportunities.

However, he should be taking several steps inside the arc instead of launching from outside. Taking shots from 18 feet instead of 27 feet would likely result in a higher shooting percentage on those attempts compared to 3-point attempts. It would also unlock more drive opportunities for Wembanyama.

Wembanyama has the potential to be an elite scorer

Wembanyama hasn't had many opportunities to attack closeouts from three, but it would be much easier if he took more midrange jumpers. Opposing big men would likely be forced out of position as they try to ward off drives from Fox, Castle, or Harper, leaving Wembanyama open, at least temporarily.

If they close out hard, then he can attack the basket with his long strides. That would potentially allow him to get to the rim with only three steps, preventing help from arriving or defenders from swiping at his high dribble. More drives would also likely increase his free-throw attempts per game, making it a no-brainer to try.

Mixing in more mid-range jumpers, drives, and getting to the line, in addition to being a high-volume 3-point shooter, could do wonders for his efficiency and overall scoring. He averaged 24.5 points last season without doing that and could easily up his scoring to around 27 points per game if he did.

All told, for Wembanyama to take the next step offensively, he'll need to incorporate a mid-range jumper into his game. If he can, then Wembanyama could emerge as a dominant scorer next season.