Victor Wembanyama borrows page from Tim Duncan’s legendary Spurs playbook

Just when San Antonio Spurs fans thought they couldn't love star Victor Wembanyama more than they already do, he went and borrowed a page out of Tim Duncan's playbook.

Duncan famously took a huge pay cut later in his career to help facilitate the Spurs building around him. That pay cut proved to be massive, with him signing a 3-year, 30 million deal after the 2010-11 season.

In doing so, he helps San Antonio stay underneath the luxury tax while they add young talent such as Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard, as well as signing Boris Diaw and Patty Mills. Not to be outdone, Wembanyama followed Duncan's example by taking far less than his market value to help the Spurs remain contenders.

Victor Wembanyama borrows page out of Tim Duncan's playbook

Having arguably the best player in the NBA take a $50 million pay cut is a massive competitive advantage for the Spurs. It's also worth pointing out that Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't do that.

As a result, the Thunder will have to pay their three best players 80% of the salary cap going forward. The Spurs will eventually have to pay their three best players slightly less but not for a couple of seasons.

De'Aaron Fox is already on a max, while Wembanyama will start his after next season. Presumably from there, Castle, and then Harper will qualify for 25% max contracts.

Wemby has given the Spurs the flexibility to contend for years to come

The Spurs being able to stagger their max contracts should allow them to duck the second apron for at least the next three years. Possibly longer if the NBA Players' Union tries to renegotiate the Collective Bargaining Agreement after the 2027-28 season and remove the second apron.

Hopefully that will indeed happen and give San Antonio more flexibility to keep their core and several key rotation players for the long term. Even if the CBA doesn't change, Wembanyama has already learned from the example Duncan set.

While other contenders are having to make sacrifices to duck the second apron, the Spurs are still adding to their already talented roster. We've already seen them trade for a first-round pick and acquire Tarris Reed Jr. as well as using their mid-level exception to add Tobias Harris.

Combine that with internal improvement from Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, and San Anonio is well-positioned to contend. Overall, with Wembanyama taking far less than his worth, he has given San Antonio the flexibility it needs, much like Duncan previously did for the Spurs.

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