The number of truly untouchable players in the NBA is dwindling. Luka Doncic was once a lock to never be traded, and the Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly taken calls on Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now, only Jalen Brunson, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama remain on the “untouchable” plane.
Of course, things can change in an instant. The Doncic trade sent shockwaves through the NBA that are still being felt today. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs are never expected to trade Wembanyama. He is due for a contract extension next summer, and it stands to reason the Spurs will offer him the max deal. After that, the Spurs are expected to be a winning team, making sure Wembanyama never wants to play anywhere else.
However, insecure front offices often act rashly, and even the steady Spurs are not immune to speculation.
## Spurs Made Moves to Keep Wembanyama Happy
Coming off a Finals appearance in 2024, Luka Doncic seemed like the perfect successor to Dirk Nowitzki for the Dallas Mavericks. But just six months later, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Dallas cited concerns about his conditioning, long-term health, and doubts about securing a contract extension.
To his credit, Doncic had long made it clear that he wanted to end his career in Dallas—making the trade feel like a betrayal to many fans.
In an effort to keep Wembanyama satisfied, the Spurs have been proactive. They signed Chris Paul, traded for De’Aaron Fox, drafted Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, and bolstered their frontcourt over the three offseasons Wembanyama has been in Texas. All these moves aim to avoid the type of turmoil that surrounded Doncic in Dallas.
“His satisfaction on the team is so interesting,” said Sports Illustrated’s Rachel Nichols on October 15th. “There was all this chatter around Luka and Dallas for years, right? ‘Oh, they better keep Luka happy. That timeline ticks faster than you think. Oh, it’s a good thing they made the Finals because Luka would have started looking around.’ Even after they dealt him, we heard some of the propaganda out of the Dallas front office. That was about like, ‘Oh, he might not have signed the big deal.’”
Wembanyama, like Doncic, has given zero indication that he is dissatisfied with the Spurs. Still, after the Doncic trade shocked the world, teams must exercise caution.
## Stability at the Top: Popovich and Buford
RC Buford has been with San Antonio since 1997, taking over as general manager in 2002 and currently serving as CEO. Gregg Popovich has been president of basketball operations since 1997, a title he retains even after retiring from coaching.
Together, Popovich and Buford kept their core trio—Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker—intact for nearly two decades. Wembanyama admires this continuity and is similarly addicted to winning.
There is little reason to think the Spurs will ever part ways with him.
“I’m not sure Luka Doncic was as much on a mission at that age as Victor Wembanyama,” Nichols admitted. “Victor Wembanyama seems like the kind of guy who wants to see progress. And I think that they needed to have Fox there to sort of bring that progress that was expected.”
The Spurs’ commitment to building around Wembanyama and maintaining stability suggests that he will remain an untouchable cornerstone of their franchise for years to come.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/san-antonio-spurs/victor-wembanyama-los-angeles-lakers-luka-doncic/
