5 rivals who should be on Wembanyama’s hit list next season with the Spurs

3) Nikola Jokic

Perhaps one of the most surprising things that happened last season was Wembanyama going off against the Denver Nuggets in an April game. Wemby scored 17 points over a three-minute stretch, helping the Spurs stun the Nuggets and negatively affecting their seeding.

That contributed to Denver having to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the playoffs, who proved to be a better team in a grueling seven-game series. Having Wemby impact a then-defending champion's repeat chances showed just how big of an impact he can have.

Next season, with three games against the Nuggets and hopefully more, should the Spurs make the playoffs, many will be watching the Nikola Jokic-Wembanyama matchup closely. Jokic is not only the best player in the league but the best center, both mantles that Wemby will hopefully assume sooner rather than later. Jokic might also get up for those games too, to try and stave off an up-and-coming superstar.

Having Wemby cook Jokic and the Nuggets would put the league on notice that Wembanyama is the real deal. It may also have bigger implications. Playoff seeding is one, but also nationally televised games.

If Wembanyama becomes must-see TV, then you better believe that the Spurs will become fixtures of the NBA's national games. With the Spurs often being overlooked even when they were great, having them back in the spotlight would be a big deal.