Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, sparking speculation that the San Antonio Spurs could land Duke star Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft.
San Antonio Spurs fans are bracing for a challenging finish to the season, as superstar Victor Wembanyama has been ruled out due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
The injury has left many speculating about the future of the franchise, with some thinking the Spurs' misfortune might actually lead to a golden opportunity: the chance to land one of college basketball's most promising players, Cooper Flagg.
With Wembanyama sidelined for the remainder of the season and San Antonio's playoff hopes in doubt, the Spurs currently hold a 24-29 record, sitting 12th in the Western Conference.
While the team is still within striking distance of a play-in spot, they trail the 10th-place Golden State Warriors by three games.
With 29 games remaining, the Spurs have time to potentially pivot toward improving their odds for the 2025 NBA Draft, where Flagg is expected to be the top pick.
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Wemby's injury brings back memories of the Spurs' past successes in similar situations.
Back in 1997, a season marred by the absence of star center David Robinson due to injury led to one of the most significant moments in franchise history.
That year, the Spurs finished with a 20-62 record and secured the first overall pick. San Antonio used that pick to select Tim Duncan, a move that would shape the franchise for over two decades.
The rest is history, as Duncan would go on to lead the Spurs to five NBA championships.
Now, the question is whether history could repeat itself. The idea of pairing Flagg, a Duke standout who has remained the projected top pick despite rumors of a potential return to college, with Wembanyama in the future is a tantalizing thought for Spurs fans.
Though the Spurs' situation isn't ideal, their past draft luck could be a good omen.
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