3 French players the Spurs should pursue to make Wembanyama feel at home

Victor Wembanyama is here! Spurs nation has been in a frenzied state since San Antonio secured the 7-foot-3 center with the first overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, but pause your adulation for the front office and all involved, and let’s do a little look into the future.

The Spurs have started the offseason well, especially when you consider they landed Cissoko in the back half of the draft after he earned so much first-round chatter entering the night. Adding another Frenchman could go a long way towards making Wembanyama feel at home, but there are a handful of his compatriots the Spurs should consider pursuing this summer to help him feel as comfortable as possible during his rookie season in the NBA.

1: Evan Fournier

I’m sure the Knicks would be willing to part with Fournier’s salary, which is around $18 million per year, and the Spurs could bring him in to mentor Wembanyama. Though he doesn’t play the same position, Fournier is a seasoned veteran who can provide useful minutes off the bench for San Antonio.

The 30-year-old swingman shot 30.7% from three-point range in limited minutes for the Knicks last season, but he played 80 games and shot 38.9% from long distance the previous year. Fournier is a staple of French basketball, and with over a decade of NBA experience, he was likely a player Wemby and Cissoko looked up to as they climbed the ranks in France. His defense is a concern, but Pop can put Fournier in situations to maximize his efficiency.

On top mentoring Wembanyama, Fournier could also help guide Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell as they enter the prime of their careers.

2: Nicolas Batum

Batum would probably not be too difficult (transactionally) to bring into the fold, and he could have a huge impact on Wembanyama.

Batum is only 34 years old, but he has played in the NBA for what seems like forever (he was drafted in 2008). His extensive experience in the league is invaluable, giving him the wisdom to teach Wemby the tricks of the trade. His ability to fill every frontcourt position only adds to his appeal- not only as a mentor, but also as a serviceable member of the roster next season.

The 6-foot-8 forward shot 39.1% from three-point land last season. The Spurs could use a bench big as well. Batum becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2024, and it might not take many assets for the front office to convince the Los Angeles Clippers to part ways with him via trade this summer.

Though it isn’t measurable, the nostalgia factor that comes with Batum must be considered. Wemby has probably followed Batum’s career close enough for it to have influenced his basketball journey.

3: Killian Hayes

Hayes might be more difficult for the Spurs to acquire, especially considering he was a top-10 pick in one of the more recent drafts. Former first-rounders with untapped upside are rarely available on the trade market, and it is even more diffucult to find one who is still on their rookie contract.

With that said, San Antonio has plenty of draft capital to make a deal happen, especially with a team like Detroit that is in the beginning stages of a comprehensive rebuild.

Born in Florida but raised in France, Hayes is only 21 years old. That makes him a contemporary of Wembanyama and Cissoko, and that familiarity will give that trio time to grow together.

Despite his age, Hayes has 168 games worth of NBA experience and he can advise Wembanyama on the intricacies he may face at the next level. He also plays point guard, which is a position of need for San Antonio. If the front office follows the Nuggets' blueprint to success, they could have their center (Wembanyama), wing (Sochan) and point guard (Hayes) of the future in place.

Bonus: Vincent Collet

This one is a little off the wall, but hear me out. For those of you who don’t know Vincent Collet- I was one of them before researching for this article- he is head coach of Metropolitans 92 and the French National Team. Wembanyama has an established rapport with Collet, and he will likely make an impact for France in short manner despite opting out of the FIBA World Cup this summer.

Collet has over 40 years of experience both playing and coaching in France. With all the interest the Silver and Black showed in Victor during the pre-draft process, his former head coach might already have a relationship with the organization. He’s clearly a valuable basketball mind, and he also speaks English well, which will help him mesh with the non-French players on the team.

No one is saying Collet should replace Pop. That's his job for as long as he wants, and his track record speaks for itself. But we know the Spurs are open to having foreign assistants on their coaching staff, so why not make this move? It would certainly make Wembanyama more comfortable.

There are potential issues of course. Does Collet even have interest in coming stateside for a lesser role and a pay cut? Perhaps not, though it is certainly worth it for the Spurs to give it a shot.

Depending on who the Spurs acquire, they could have Wembanyama feeling at home while fielding a competitive roster that could challenge for a playoff appearance. By utilizing a bit of the draft capital they have accumulated over the last couple of years, San Antonio can benefit not only Wembanyama, but themselves. Sounds like a win-win!