Real Reason Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama is Campaigning for MVP

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Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida.

French phenom Victor Wembanyama has $51M reasons to win MVP this season. That’s because the San Antonio Spurs star will become eligible for a five-year supermax extension worth $303M if he wins his first Michael Jordan Trophy this year, compared to a deal worth $252M.

According to Spurs beat writer Don Harris, Wemby can still qualify for a $303M deal by winning either MVP or Defensive Player of the Year next year, but he can secure his massive rookie extension deal by winning MVP this year.

“Winning the MVP this season is the only way he can qualify early for the 30% max before his 4th season,” Harris reported on X.

“He could still qualify by winning MVP, DPOY or winning MVP next year. I’d be campaigning too.”

Wemby Contract Incentives

The salary-cap expert confirmed that Wemby, a lock to win his first Defensive Player of the Year this season, won’t qualify for the $303M deal unless he wins MVP this year.

“DPOY or All-NBA this year won’t do it,” Harris informed.

“It would have to be at least 1 of the three NEXT year.”

Harris, however, disputed the notion that Wembanyama, who has the third shortest odds to win MVP this year, is actively campaigning for the award due to monetary benefits.

“It’s not his motivation,” stressed the Spurs insider. “I didn’t say it was. Being the greatest is his motivation.”

“But $51 million is $51 million.”

Wemby’s MVP Plea

After leading the Spurs to their 22nd win in the last 24 games on Monday, Wemby made a compelling case for why he should win both MVP and DPOY.

“I have thought about it,” Wembanyama said of winning MVP, via ESPN.

“I think right now, there is a debate. There should be, even though I think I should lead the race. I’m trying to make sure that at the end of the season, there’s no debate.”

He proceeded to outline three points as to why he deserves to win MVP over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and the other candidates.

“My first one would be that defense is 50% of the game and that it is undervalued so far in the MVP race. I believe I’m the most impactful player defensively in the league,” Wembanyama stressed.

“Second argument would be that we almost swept OKC in the season, and we dominated them three times with their real team.

“The third argument would be that offense impact is not just points.”

Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett, Hakeem Olajuwon, Giannis Antetokounmpo and David Robinson are the only five players in NBA history to win both MVP and DPOY. Among that group, only Jordan (1988), Olajuwon (1994) and Antetokounmpo (2020) won both awards in the same year. Many analysts feel Wemby is primed to join that list.

Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan