Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell expressed high admiration for San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, highlighting his immense potential despite Wembanyama missing the latter half of the previous season due to blood clots. Speaking recently on The Backyard Podcast released in China, Russell praised the Spurs’ young star and predicted he could become the next face of the NBA, drawing comparisons to Kobe Bryant.
Russell did not hesitate to name Wembanyama when asked about the greatest of all time, signaling a strong belief in the French player’s future impact. He stated his confidence in Wembanyama’s unique talent, suggesting a radical possibility regarding the NBA’s iconic logo.
“Wemby, Victor Wembanyama,” Russell said. “He’s not Michael, he’s slick. I’m telling y’all now, I’m putting this on air. Remember I gave him his flowers last time? This is a big statement: If they ever change the logo, it might be him or Kobe. They might change the logo to Wemby. … I’m just high on Wembanyama.”
—D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets guard
In addition to his comments on Wembanyama, Russell speculated on the Spurs’ draft strategy, predicting they might select Duke’s Khaman Maluach with the No. 2 overall pick. Holding both the second and fourteenth picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Spurs are in a strong position to maneuver their roster. Analysts suggest they could trade these picks to the Milwaukee Bucks, potentially to acquire superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and build a formidable team alongside Wembanyama.
Although Dylan Harper is widely regarded as the projected No. 2 pick, Russell noted that Harper’s position overlaps with that of De’Aaron Fox, whom the Spurs added in February. The Spurs also possess Stephon Castle, a versatile guard capable of playing multiple backcourt positions, who earned recognition as the 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year.
Maluach, standing at 7-foot-2, remains a raw talent with significant upside, having only started playing basketball in his teens. His late entry to the sport draws comparisons to Joel Embiid’s journey, who ultimately became an NBA MVP despite a similar beginning.
Spurs’ Championship Prospects with Wembanyama and Giannis Highlighted by NBA Insider
As the Spurs pursue a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, expectations are building around pairing Giannis with Victor Wembanyama—a duo that would create one of the most imposing defensive presences in NBA history. This pairing echoes the franchise’s storied past with their legendary “twin towers,” Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
According to an NBA executive speaking to The Athletic, if the Spurs succeed in signing Giannis alongside Wembanyama, they could instantly become championship favorites. The executive emphasized that both players have the potential to rank among the top five in the league next season and would complement each other exceptionally well.
“If the Spurs paired Giannis and Wemby, they would be the favorite to win the title next year,” the East executive said. “They’d have two guys who might be top-five players in the league next year on the same team. Plus, they fit.”
—East NBA executive
Although Wembanyama’s second NBA season was cut short due to a blood clot in his shoulder, reports indicate he is expected to be fully healthy for the upcoming season. This recovery boosts optimism around the Spurs’ future and their potential to compete at the highest level.
With Russell’s public praise and expert insights about roster moves, all eyes will remain on the Spurs as they look to transform their team around Victor Wembanyama’s talent and possibly Giannis Antetokounmpo’s superstar presence. The implications for the NBA could be profound, both in terms of competition and cultural impact.