5 Centers Spurs can still land to pair with Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs drafted Victor Wembanyama with the number one overall pick, and the team is already building around him. The 7’4 big man is set to make his Las Vegas Summer League debut on Friday, but the Spurs are slow playing their talent acquisition. They did not splurge their cap space on a marquee free agent. San Antonio is going to take their time and correctly build their roster around the French prodigy.

Marc Stein reported on July 5 that the Spurs are still searching for a center to pair with Wemby (subscription required) in year one. The 7’4 big man’s long-term position is likely at the five, but he needs some time to add strength and fully grow into his body to get there. San Antonio has the most cap space in the league, but the free-agent center market is not strong. P.J. Washington and Mo Bamba are the top options, but neither is likely to play in San Antonio.

Who could the Spurs target? There are plenty of names in the rumor mill, and San Antonio has more draft picks than they can make over the next seven years, so which players are available?

5. Ivica Zubac

Jake Fischer reported that Zubac is available in trade talks on June 30. The seven-footer has been the Clippers starting center for three of the last four years, and he is coming off arguably the best season of his career as Zubac averaged 10.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 28.6 minutes per game.

The 26-year-old should be just entering his prime and is under contract for two years at $22.6 million in total. That is a modest salary for a capable starting center that provides size, rebounding, and rim protection to any roster. At 7’0 and 240 pounds, Zubac could battle in the paint as Wembanyama serves as a weak side shot-blocker and havoc creator on defense.

Ivica Zubac is a traditional big man that struggles to guard on the perimeter. The San Antonio Spurs could bring the best out of him, but he has a limited skill set. That does not stop him from being a solid and available fit at the five next to a rookie Victor Wembanyama.

4. Clint Capela

Capela’s name continues to be in trade rumors because the Hawks have Onyeka Okongwu waiting in the wings. Capela is an outstanding rebounder and pick-and-roll partner for Trae Young, but Okongwu is entering the final year of his rookie contract and hoping for an extension. Atlanta already has luxury tax concerns, and they cannot afford to pay two centers starting-caliber money.

At 6’10 and 240 pounds, Capela could be the perfect fit next to Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio. The 29-year-old averaged 12.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game last season. He could show the teenager how to set screens, dominate the glass, and protect the rim as he continues to play a productive role.

Capela has been a starter since 2016, but he is comfortable playing 27 minutes each night. That gives Wemby protection and some time to take over at the five as he learns the NBA ropes.

Clint Capela is set to make $42.8 million over the next two seasons combined, which could keep the San Antonio Spurs away. It depends on how the franchise views Wembanyama’s development. How much time does he need to grow before taking over the position? If the answer is one year, the Spurs might steer clear of Capela and go for a rental.

3. Myles Turner

Turner’s name is always in trade talks, but the 27-year-old has played eight years without leaving Indiana. The Pacers overpaid to get Bruce Brown and rewarded Tyrese Haliburton with a rookie max extension, so they appear committed to contending next season. Does that mean they keep Turner as their rim protector and defensive anchor?

Turner is under contract for two seasons at $40.9 million in total. He will be the tenth-highest-paid center next year and his salary decreases in 2024-25. The 6’11 big man is coming off the best season of his career where he averaged 18.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 29.4 minutes per game, so now could be the perfect time for Indy to sell high.

It is unclear what it would take to get Myles Turner away from the Pacers, but he would be a strong fit next to Victor Wembanyama. Turner is a career 35.3 percent 3-point shooter that has a versatile offensive skill set. They could trade off roll man duties as both can space the floor. Teams would struggle to guard the dynamic big man duo, and they could swat everything in the paint.

This one feels a bit unlikely after the moves the Indiana Pacers made in free agency, but Myles Turner is no stranger to the trade block. If the San Antonio Spurs made a massive offer, he may finally leave Indiana.

2. Jarrett Allen

The Cavaliers need wing upgrades this offseason, so they added Max Strus and Georges Niang in free agency. Is that enough after a disappointing first-round playoff exit? Can Cleveland win with two small guards? Is Evan Mobley’s best position at the five because he cannot stretch the floor? If yes, what does that mean for Jarrett Allen?

Marc Stein reported that the 25-year-old former All-Star is on the trade block (subscription required). He is the team’s fourth option on offense but remains a strong rebounder and rim protection. Allen could play an expanded role with his new team in what could be a win for both sides.

The 25-year-old is owed $60 million over the next three seasons, which could limit the Spurs' interest. Allen would be fantastic in the Alamo City, and coach Pop could expand his playmaking chops, but they will want Victor Wembanyama to take over the center position before Allen becomes a free agent in 2026.

The Spurs should look at Allen as a short-term starter and future trade asset. If they can increase his scoring and playmaking ability, the 25-year-old will have plenty of value when Wemby is ready to become San Antonio’s starting center. The front office has been hesitant to make a big splash around the 19-year-old prodigy, but this could be the move to make. 

1. Jonas Valanciunas

Valanciunas was linked to the Spurs by Jake Fischer on June 27, and this could be the ideal fit for San Antonio. The 6’11 big man is firmly on the trade block and entering the final year of his contract. If New Orleans decides to dump him, the Spurs could swoop in and have their starting center for next season.

Valanciunas is a strong complement to the Spurs' rookie. Wembanyama is an outstanding shot-blocker and rim protector where JV excels on the glass. The teenager could be used as the rim deterrent as Valanciunas battles on the board and defends players like Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. On the other end, Wemby can serve as the roll man and have additional freedom in the paint as JV is a career 35.7 percent 3-point shooter on low volume.

It would likely take a three-team trade to make this happen because the New Orleans Pelicans want to contend next season. That means keeping Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram healthy, which has been problematic in the Big Easy.

Will the San Antonio Spurs find a starting center to play next to Victor Wembanyama as a rookie? They have the means and desire, so stay tuned to see how it all plays out.