Spurs' path to a championship with Victor Wembanyama just became even clearer

The NBA Playoffs are just weeks away, and the postseason picture is coming into focus for the San Antonio Spurs. Fans are likely already looking ahead to potential matchups, hoping that this team will have the easiest possible path to a championship. At first glance, the best path would be to finish with the best record in the NBA, or at least the West.

As much as Spurs fans might want the number one seed in the Western Conference, that might be hustling backward. Let me explain. The Spurs are within spitting distance of those unethical ballers better known as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Having home court advantage against them could give San Antonio the upper hand. Nevertheless, that might not be the best route for the Silver and Black.

After all, the way the West playoff race is shaking out, the Thunder may face either the Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves. Neither is a great matchup for the Thunder.

Especially the Nuggets, who very nearly beat them in the West semifinals last postseason. They haven't been at full strength, but they are much deeper than last season and could very well be better than OKC. But how would that affect the Spurs?

The Spurs' easiest path to a championship is as a second seed

They are virtual locks for the second seed, and they should want to avoid the number one seed since the Thunder would have a tougher path to the Western Conference Finals.

After all, San Antonio would face the Phoenix Suns in the first round if the season ended today. The Silver and Black have struggled against the Suns, but they were not at full strength and should have a much easier time in the playoffs.

If the Spurs were to get to the second round, they would face either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Houston Rockets. San Antonio might match up the best against L.A., with the Lakers having a backcourt that's a turnstile on defense and a low-effort starting center.

The playoff seeding might work out perfectly for the Spurs

Meanwhile, the Rockets have been a thorn in the side of the Spurs, but they may have figured Houston out. Victor Wembanyama can guard Amen Thompson, which could be difficult for the Rockets to counter due to Thompson's poor shooting.

The Spurs' best-case scenario would be to land a spot in the West Finals, where they would likely face either the Nuggets or Wolves, rather than the Thunder. Both are difficult matchups. But the Spurs have played very well against Minnesota this season, despite being just 1-2 against them.

With this young Spurs team having limited playoff experience, seeding matters a lot. Therefore, San Antonio shouldn't be deadset on ending up with the top seed and let their rival have the tougher path to the NBA Finals.