Victor Wembanyama's contract has already changed the conversation in San Antonio

After taking a massive pay cut, San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama has proven that he is as selfless as they come. Turning down more than $50 million for the betterment of the team is exactly what Spurs fans were hoping for from their young superstar.

He didn't disappoint with him signing a five-year, $250 million extension instead of a supermax worth $301 million. That clearly set the tone for the young Spurs, and Wembanyama's selflessness has rubbed off on the team.

If Wembanyama can sacrifice for the team, then so can Harper, who now sounds more than willing to continue coming off the bench. That buys the Spurs more time as they look to build the best possible roster while also staying underneath the second apron.

Victor Wembanyama's sacrifice may be contagious

While other Spurs players may not be asked to take a pay cut, Wembanyama's willingness to sacrifice may be contagious. Much like with Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, whose selflessness defined nearly two decades of the Spurs, Wembanyama is setting the culture for the new-look Silver and Black.

His taking a massive pay cut also helps the team competitively. The Oklahoma City Thunder are already paying their trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren a combined 85% of the salary cap.

However, the Spurs won't have to pay their three best players anywhere near that amount for two more years. That is a massive competitive advantage and gives San Antonio a clear two-year window in which to win a championship before having to retool their roster.

After that point, they will inevitably have to move on from De'Aaron Fox. Fortunately, they may already have a big three in place consisting of Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper.

Wembanyama gifted the Spurs a huge competitive advantage

Those two years could be crucial, with the Thunder already having to shed salary to avoid the second apron. Also, the New York Knicks had to let Mitchell Robinson leave in free agency, despite him being their best rim protector and an elite offensive rebounder.

The point is, while other contenders are having to adjust their rosters to stay under the second apron, the Spurs actually bolstered their team. They added Tobias Harris, Tarris Reed Jr., and Jayden Quaintance this offseason. In doing so, they possibly made a team that won 62 games last season much better.

Those additions, combined with internal improvement from Wembanyama, Fox, Castle, and Harper, might be all they need to win it all next season. That could be made possible by Wembanyama setting the tone on and off the court.

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