Sixers just handed Spurs the perfect blueprint to unleash Victor Wembanyama

As the San Antonio Spurs await the return of star Victor Wembanyama, they are still figuring out their offensive identity. With Wembanyama having already missed 14 games thus far, San Antonio has been more reliant on their guards than their 7'4" big man.

It's hard to argue with results, with San Antonio's offensive rating a staggering 2.5 points better per 100 possessions and 10-4 without Big Vic. That suggests the team is far better with a guard-led attack, though they perhaps have a higher ceiling with a Wembanyama-centric offense.

Even so, they will still have to figure out how to best blend those two styles of offense into one potent attack. Fortunately, the Philadelphia 76ers of all teams may have given them the perfect blueprint.

The Sixers just handed the Spurs the perfect offensive blueprint.

In their recent game against the New York Knicks—yeah, that team that Spurs fans hate—the Sixers repeatedly cooked them with the same play. They put three offensive players on the right side of the floor, clearing out the left side of the half court.

That opened things up for them to have Joel Embiid screen for Tyrese Maxey, with him able to attack the paint from the top of the 3-point line. It also gave Embiid a shorter distance to roll to the rim and allowed him to go one-on-one in the post.

The Knicks aren't the greatest defense in the NBA, but they are at least competent and still got cooked by the 76ers. So why does that matter to the Spurs? Well, it showed a potential action that they could use for De'Aaron Fox and Wembanyama.

The Spurs must maximize the De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama duo

They have largely abandoned playing Wembanyama in the post with teams loading up against him. San Antonio has also seldom had Fox run pick and roll with Wembanyama. Particularly with Stephon Castle primarily handling the ball when the three share the floor.

Finding a pet play that could get both Fox and Wembanyama involved would only lead to great things for the Spurs. It's also a way to get others easy shots. Fox isn't as good a shooter as Maxey, but his speed allows him to easily get downhill.

He could attack the paint and create open 3-point looks for Castle, Devin Vassell, and Harrison Barnes. Or, he could pass it to Wembanyama, who would have his man isolated on the left block and easily be able to see double-teams come his way from the strong side.

That might keep teams from defending him with a guard or a wing, knowing that San Antonio can get him one-on-one with his height difference, allowing him to shoot over anyone.

San Antonio could even reverse the action with Wembanyama setting a screen, freeing up Fox to dribble to the left wing. Doing so would give him the ability to turn the corner and attack the paint while having a shorter distance to the rim.

Wembanyama could also pop out to the 3-point line, pulling his defender away from the basket and clearing a path for Fox to get to the rack. Or, they can have Wemby run to the rim in a short-roll situation. There is a lot of damage San Antonio can do with that action, with the Sixers gifting them a blueprint to success.