After consecutive close losses, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama made an eyebrow-raising comment after their game against the New York Knicks on Christmas Day. Wembanyama clearly voiced his frustration after the Spurs came up short yet again in winnable games that he dominated.
Wemby put on a show in NYC 🤩
— NBA (@NBA) December 25, 2024
42 PTS
18 REB
6 3PM
4 BLK
The first player to record 40+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 5+ 3PM in a game on Christmas Day! #NBAXmas pic.twitter.com/8rPDLalzSe
Victor Wembanyama says the Knicks didn’t win because they played better basketball. “They won because we’re not ready.” Says Spurs need to play like dogs and learn to flip the switch when it matters. Once we do, it’ll become addictive—and it’s coming soon. #PorVida pic.twitter.com/fnZgKodGCL
— SpursRΞPORT (@SpursReporter) December 25, 2024
His statement comes at an interesting time for the Spurs after they have been linked to two stars ahead of the trade deadline. One of those stars is Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox, who would be a terrific fit in San Antonio. That being said, it would likely cost them several first-round picks, not to mention at least one member of their young core.
Even so, his comments could light a fire under the Spurs front office to make a move to bolster their roster to ensure that they can make a playoff run this season. That may seem premature given that this is their first season in years that they have challenged for the postseason.
They are currently 10th in the Western Conference but are only four games out of fourth place in the West. If they were to make a big move in the lead-up to the trade deadline, it is a strong possibility that they can make the playoffs.
The Spurs should listen to Victor Wembanyama and try to add talent around him this season.
Wembanyama has begun to hit his stride one-third of the way through the season, averaging a monster 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks. However, the Spurs are just 15-15, proving that they are wasting what is shaping to be a strong season for Wembanyama. If they are interested in acquiring Fox, they have the most trade assets in the NBA, making a potential deal with the Kings possible should he become available.
One potential offer could see the Spurs offer Rookie of the Year frontrunner Stephon Castle, Keldon Johnson, and Tre Jones. They can also send the Chicago Bulls' top-10 protected first, Atlanta's 2027 unprotected first, and Sacramento's own 2031 first-round pick swap back. Receiving the 2024 fourth overall selection in Castle, two firsts, and the Kings' own first back would seemingly be fair value for Fox.
It would also give the Kings two rotation players, including a stopgap starting point guard in Jones. Considering where Sacramento is in the standings, doing that deal would all but guarantee that they would end up with a lottery pick, which might end up being a selling point of the deal.
It would give them the flexibility to retool around Domantas Sabonis while also setting themselves up for the future. For the Spurs, adding Fox would give them an impressive starting five with him paired up with Chris Paul in the backcourt along with Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Wembanyama.
That would dramatically improve San Antonio's playmaking capability with Fox being one of the best offensive players in the NBA this season. Not to mention he leads the league in clutch baskets, which will come in handy during the close games that the Spurs find themselves on the losing end of.
Add in that he is only 27 years old and that he is only entering his prime, and he could be a potentially great long-term fit for the Spurs. With Wembanyama voicing his frustration after a recent loss, the Spurs should strongly consider making a blockbuster move to try and land Fox.