As San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama prepares to enter just his fourth professional season, the basketball world is already rewriting the history books to accommodate his unprecedented ascent. Armed with otherworldly rim protection and having already secured a historic unanimous Defensive Player of the Year award, the French phenom is establishing himself as one of the most terrifying defensive forces the game has ever witnessed.
Yet, looking ahead to the upcoming campaign, the conversation is shifting from defensive accolades to an even grander crown: could Wembanyama realistically surpass Denver Nuggets legend Nikola Jokic on the all-time player ladder by this time next year?
While such a proposition sounds audacious at first glance, breaking down the trajectory makes it an increasingly compelling discussion.
Erasing the Resume Gap at Lightning Speed
Nikola Jokic stands rightfully entrenched as an offensive savant—a multi-time MVP and champion whose passing genius and scoring efficiency have cemented his future Hall of Fame status. However, Jokic’s postseason resume outside of his 2023 championship run has faced scrutiny, having only advanced past the second round twice in his illustrious career.
In stark contrast, Wembanyama has already shattered expectations by storming into the NBA Finals during his very first postseason run, taking down the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder along the way. If Wembanyama captures both the regular-season MVP award and an NBA championship next season, his resume before turning 24 years old would feature:
- Multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards
- A regular-season MVP trophy
- An NBA Championship and likely Finals MVP honors
That sheer volume of hardware collected at such an unprecedented age would instantly bridge any lingering career-length gaps, placing him firmly in the upper echelon of basketball royalty.
The Two-Way Advantage
The core argument for Wembanyama’s rapid leapfrog centers on his complete, two-way dominance. While Jokic is arguably the greatest offensive center in NBA history, he possesses defensive limitations that opposing teams can occasionally target in high-stakes playoff series.
Wembanyama, on the other hand, presents no such vulnerabilities. He single-handedly alters opponent game plans before the tip-off, anchoring the paint while possessing the lateral quickness to switch onto elite perimeter guards. On the offensive end, his shooting gravity stretches defenses out to the three-point line, combining interior scoring with modern spacing.
When comparing two players who have proven they can serve as the undisputed best player on a championship team, the edge must ultimately go to the transcendent talent who dominates equally on both ends of the floor.
Redefining Greatness
None of this is intended to diminish what Nikola Jokic has built in Denver; his legacy as an all-time great center is firmly secure. However, basketball greatness is not a static concept. If Wembanyama delivers an MVP campaign and hoists the Larry O’Brien trophy next season, he will have achieved enough at a breathtaking speed to justify leapfrogging the reigning standard and claiming his spot near the very top of basketball history.
Do you think Victor Wembanyama can surpass Nikola Jokic to become an all-time great as early as next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
