Spurs need Victor Wembanyama to take specific leap to reach next level

The San Antonio Spurs have a chance to take yet another leap next season. They just wrapped up an impressive run to the NBA Finals, but they fell just short, losing to the New York Knicks. Heading into next year, they need more consistent offense. And Victor Wembanyama will be at the forefront of that improvement.

Wembanyama is one of the most impressive offensive forces in the league. At least, in terms of not being able to stop him. He’s a freak. His height gives him a constant advantage. But he needs to improve as a playmaker. If Wembanyama can become a better passer as an on-ball creator and out of the post, it would do wonders for the Spurs’ offense.

San Antonio has plenty of ball-handlers, but Wembanyama should have the ball in his hands a lot. And if he can take another jump as a creator for others, it would be huge.

Victor Wembanyama needs to improve as a playmaker

Just by being himself, Wembanyama is inherently going to be a solid playmaker. Teams have to double-team him, so some of his teammates will be open, and Wemby just has to find them.

However, Wembanyama averaged just 3.1 assists per game last year, which was the lowest mark of his three-year career thus far. And in the playoffs, that number went down to 2.7.

Taking a look at some stats on Databallr, Wembanyama isn’t great at creating quality chances for the Spurs. According to their numbers, Wembanyama’s teammates’ effective field goal percentage on shot chances he created is just 71.0%. That’s in just the 20th percentile of NBA players. Not great.

At the end of the day, Wembanyama should be generating much better shots for his teammates based on how much pressure he receives when he has the ball in his hands.

The Spurs have plenty of on-ball creators. Dylan Harper. De’Aaron Fox. Stephon Castle. All three of those guys will help lead the Spurs’ offense next season. But Wemby is a clear focal point.

Any star who has the ball in his hands – whether as a creator or in the paint – as much as Wembanyama needs to be good at creating for others and finding open teammates.

That’s the next step Wembanyama needs to take in his game. He doesn’t need to be the next Nikola Jokic, but improving as a passer would do wonders for San Antonio on that side of the ball.

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