Which NBA Franchise Would Trade Their Superstar For Victor Wembanyama?

Superstar center and current San Antonio Spurs franchise player Victor Wembanyama is getting close to winning Rookie of the Year and is a transcendent talent. He is averaging 21.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game in his rookie campaign and is the type of player who almost every NBA team would trade anyone for. At 20 years old, the Frenchman is just getting started in his career, and the following tiers describe which teams wouldn’t trade their star for him.

No Way 

Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards

In the NBA landscape, certain players are considered untouchable due to their immense talent, potential, and impact due to their ages. In the "No Way" tier, we find some of the brightest stars in the league: Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Anthony Edwards.

Starting with Nikola Jokic, he is not only the reigning NBA champion but also a two-time MVP (and possibly a three-time MVP when this season finishes). Hailed as the best passing center in the history of the league, Jokic's versatility and consistency make him arguably the best player in the NBA currently. His all-around game, combined with his humility, makes him invaluable to the Denver Nuggets and is untouchable.

Luka Doncic, at just 25 years old, has already established himself as a triple-double machine and is often compared to legends like Larry Bird. He has showcased his ability to lead the Dallas Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals in 2021-22 and has the potential to elevate his game even further in the coming years.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, known for his exceptional two-way play, has proven himself on the biggest stage by delivering an NBA title to Milwaukee, ending a 50-year championship drought for the Bucks. At 29, he still has several peak years ahead of him, making him indispensable to the Milwaukee Bucks' championship aspirations.

Jayson Tatum, only 26 years old, has emerged as an exceptional scorer with a deep offensive repertoire. He has already led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2022 and continues to be the cornerstone of the Celtics' future. With Tatum leading the way, the Celtics' core appears to be ready to compete at a high level for the foreseeable future.

Lastly, Anthony Edwards, at just 22 years old, has shown the potential to be the face of the NBA in the future. His fearless mentality and scoring ability make him a promising young talent with the potential to be the best player on a championship-caliber team.

Given the immense talent, potential, and impact these players have on their respective teams, it is highly unlikely that any NBA franchise would consider trading them for Victor Wembanyama, a young prospect with potential but without the proven track record and experience of these established stars.

No, Because Of Loyalty 

Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry, the iconic point guard of the Golden State Warriors, belongs to a special category of NBA players whose value transcends statistics and on-court performance. Beyond his unparalleled shooting ability and three NBA championships, Curry embodies loyalty, leadership, and the spirit of the Warriors' franchise.

Curry has spent his entire career with the Warriors, becoming the face of the franchise and leading them to multiple championships. His impact on the team extends far beyond his stats; he creates a culture of teamwork, dedication, and excellence that resonates throughout the organization. Make no mistake: there is no Warriors dynasty without Stephen Curry.

Strong Consideration 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as one of the NBA's top stars. At just 25 years old, he has already established himself as an MVP candidate this season, averaging an impressive 30.3 points per game. However, despite Gilgeous-Alexander's immense talent and potential, there is a strong consideration that the Thunder might entertain the idea of trading him for Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama, at five years younger, represents a tantalizing prospect due to his rare combination of size, defensive prowess, scoring ability, and athleticism.

Pairing Wembanyama with Chet Holmgren could potentially create one of the most dominant frontcourts in NBA history. Their collective length, shot-blocking ability, scoring versatility, and athleticism could revolutionize the way the game is played at the frontcourt positions. The Thunder could potentially find another All-Star guard to replace Gilgeous-Alexander's production, but finding another player with Wembanyama's unique skill set and potential could prove to be much more challenging.

Sorry, Bye Bye 

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid has undeniably established himself as one of the most dominant players in the NBA. With an MVP award, two scoring titles, and seven All-Star selections to his name, Embiid's impact on the court is undeniable. However, despite his undeniable talent and accolades, there is a sentiment that the 76ers might be willing to part ways with Embiid in favor of Victor Wembanyama. At 30 years old and with a history of injuries that have derailed his seasons, there are concerns about Embiid's long-term durability and availability.

On the other hand, Wembanyama represents a young, promising talent with immense potential. Pairing him with the up-and-coming star Tyrese Maxey could provide the 76ers with a foundation for sustained success in the years to come. Wembanyama's unique skill set, which includes elite shot-blocking, scoring ability, and athleticism, could make him an ideal centerpiece for the 76ers' future plans. While Embiid is considered one of the greatest players in team history, the allure of Wembanyama's youth, potential, and fit alongside Maxey might be too enticing for the 76ers to ignore.

Immediately 

LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler, Tyrese Haliburton, De’Aaron Fox, Ja Morant, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Zion Williamson, Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Alperen Sengun, Jamal Murray, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Zach LaVine, Mikal Bridges, LaMelo Ball, Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving, Jalen Green, Bam Adebayo, Damian Lillard, Karl-Anthony Towns, Chet Holmgren, Lauri Markkanen

LeBron James, at 39 years old, is nearing the twilight of his illustrious career, making it logical for the Lakers to consider rebuilding around Anthony Davis. Kevin Durant, 35, provides scoring, but the Suns may prioritize pairing Durant with Wembanyama, especially since Devin Booker and Bradley Beal can provide and make up for the scoring.

Meanwhile, Devin Booker's potential trade is rooted in the Suns' pursuit of an elite frontcourt with Durant and Wembanyama. Essentially, the Suns can absolutely afford to give up at least one of their scorers because there is more than enough to make up for an absence in that sense.

Anthony Davis, who is inconsistent and 31 years old, may not hold the same promise as the young and dynamic Wembanyama. The Lakers have always looked to bring on the next dominant big man, with examples of Shaquille O’Neal and Anthony Davis in 2020, so this is a no-brainer.

Jimmy Butler, at 34, lacks the natural talent and potential that Wembanyama brings to the table. He competes hard for the Miami Heat and guided them to two NBA Finals, but he isn’t untouchable for a 7’4” big man.

Tyrese Haliburton, an elite playmaker at 24, doesn't possess the same game-changing size and impact as Wembanyama despite being a bonafide All-Star and offensive system on his own. The same goes for De'Aaron Fox, who is talented but can't dominate games in the same manner as Wembanyama, who could form a formidable duo with Domantas Sabonis.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, both past their primes with injury histories, might be trade candidates for a rising talent like Wembanyama. The Clippers can afford to lose one of their franchise players for a chance to build around the big man, especially since the perimeter can be filled out through trades and the draft.

The Atlanta Hawks point guard, Trae Young, may not reach the same heights as a dominant 7'4" big man like Wembanyama because he is so miniature at 6’1” and 164 lbs. The fact that the point guard is already on the trade market makes this a no-brainer.

Donovan Mitchell, although a talented scorer, has faced criticism for not being able to lead a team to a championship, making him a potential trade asset for the Cavaliers if the opportunity arose to acquire Wembanyama. The Cavs will be able to move on from Jarrett Allen if it means upgrading the perimeter.

Paolo Banchero, despite being a 21-year-old All-Star who won Rookie of the Year, stands at 6'8" and lacks the unique defensive and offensive capabilities that a 7'4" Wembanyama offers.

Meanwhile, the Knicks, despite having All-Stars in Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, need a true superstar presence. Brunson, at 6'2", and Randle, while a solid player, cannot dominate defensively or match the sheer size and potential impact of Wembanyama on both ends of the court.

Alperen Sengun, an elite low-post scorer at just 21 years old, has time to develop into an All-Star caliber player. However, he falls short of Wembanyama's towering 7'4" frame and elite defensive skills, making Wembanyama a more enticing prospect for teams prioritizing size and defensive prowess.

Jamal Murray, while a valuable second option for the Nuggets and an elite playoff performer, could form a dominant duo with Jokic and Wembanyama that would be virtually unstoppable on both ends of the court, potentially leading to a Nuggets dynasty.

For the New Orleans Pelicans, Brandon Ingram, despite being an elite scorer, falls short of Wembanyama's unique talent and potential due to his age (26) and skill set. Wembanyama is six years younger and far more talented defensively.

Scottie Barnes, considered untouchable by the Raptors for most players, could be an exception when it comes to Wembanyama, prompting a shocking trade similar to the Raptors' bold move for Kawhi Leonard in 2019.

Zach LaVine, at 29 and coming off a poor season, could benefit from teaming up with Wembanyama to elevate his game and potentially reach all-time great status for the first time since Michael Jordan and Derrick Rose.

Mikal Bridges, a solid two-way player with All-Star potential, may be best suited as a second or third option on a team. In contrast, Wembanyama possesses the potential to be a first option, making him a more enticing prospect for teams looking to build around a franchise cornerstone.

LaMelo Ball, known for his elite passing at just 22 years old, is considered a budding star and appears to be untouchable for many teams. However, his defensive capabilities do not match those of Wembanyama, who may also demonstrate a stronger focus on basketball.

Jaylen Brown, despite signing the largest contract in NBA history with the Celtics, could form an overpowering duo with Tatum if paired with Wembanyama, potentially launching a Celtics dynasty immediately.

Kyrie Irving, renowned for his exceptional skill set as one of the most skilled players of all time, could create a formidable duo with Wembanyama and Doncic, rivaling the iconic partnership of Shaq and Kobe.

Jalen Green, showcasing a scoring prowess with an average of 20.0 points per game at 22, has immense potential. However, he might not reach the dominant level of Wembanyama. Bam Adebayo, an exceptional two-way big, lacks the scoring ease and height of Wembanyama, standing at only 6'9".

Damian Lillard, approaching 34 and nearing the end of his prime, contrasts sharply with Wembanyama's youthful 13-year advantage, making the Bucks favor the younger talent. Karl-Anthony Towns, with his shooting prowess, doesn't match Wembanyama's defensive dominance, potentially making a twin-towers pairing with Rudy Gobert enticing for the Timberwolves.

Chet Holmgren, although competitive in the Rookie of the Year race, might trail Wembanyama in overall talent and stands two inches shorter. Lauri Markkanen, while an All-Star-caliber player, lacks Wembanyama's physical gifts and is unlikely to lead in blocked shots, making Victor a more coveted prospect.

Credit: r/NBATalk