Spurs rumors: San Antonio targeting ex-1st rounder with Victor Wembanyama connection
The post Spurs rumors: San Antonio targeting ex-1st rounder with Victor Wembanyama connection appeared first on ClutchPoints.
The San Antonio Spurs are gradually building a powerhouse team around Victor Wembanyama, preferring to slowly construct the perfect blend of the right young core and solid veteran talent to complement the 7'3″ Frenchman heading into his third season in the NBA. They have not seized opportunities to expedite their rebuilding process, preferring to keep their young talent instead of packaging them together in a trade for someone like Kevin Durant or perhaps even Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Advertisement
Nonetheless, with Wembanyama rapidly improving, it's only a matter of time before the Spurs become a powerhouse in the Western Conference once more. To push the Oklahoma City Thunder for West supremacy, the Spurs will need to load up on even more depth, as the two teams that made it to the NBA Finals proved that there is nothing more important in today's NBA than having many players on the roster who are playoff-viable.
To that end, it seems as though the Spurs are targeting a versatile big man who has strong ties to their franchise cornerstone. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Spurs are 'among several teams expected to have interest in Yabusele during free agency'. Yabusele and Wembanyama are very much familar with one another, being the primary frontcourt pairing that the France National Basketball Team relied on on their way to the silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Yabusele, the 16th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, made his triumphant return stateside this past season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 11.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game on 50/38/73 shooting splits — a major improvement from the last time he stepped foot in the NBA.
He started in 43 games last season for the depleted 76ers and proved himself capable of being a small-ball center, as well as fitting on bigger lineups as a power forward, thanks to his defensive versatility and floor-stretching utility.
Guerschon Yabusele's potential fit on the Spurs
© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Should the Spurs sign Wembanyama's compatriot in Yabusele, it's not quite clear what role the 29-year-old forward will be playing for them. He's not likely to start for the Spurs, as they have Jeremy Sochan, Harrison Barnes, and Keldon Johnson as options at the position, so he's probably going to end up being a backup big man for San Antonio.
Advertisement
With Sandro Mamukelashvili, Charles Bassey, and Bismack Biyombo all being free agents, the Spurs certainly have more than enough room for the potential addition of Yabusele, who will add toughness and positional versatility to their frontcourt.
Related: Why the Spurs made right decision to pass up on Kevin Durant trade
Related: Fans hit Skip Bayless with Spurs receipts after bizarre 22-minute Thunder video
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
76ers Make Likely Call on Blockbuster Paul George Trade: Report
76ers Make Likely Call on Blockbuster Paul George Trade: Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia 76ers have a big offseason ahead of them, as this past season did not go as planned. Coming in with big expectations after having a big offseason last year, injuries and more ended up dooming the team, and they finished toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The big three of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George barely played any games together, and that was the main problem that hurt them. Advertisement This offseason, the 76ers have the No. 3 pick in the NBA draft, and they have some decisions to make as far as what they will do. Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George warms up before a game against the Boston Celtics at Wells Fargo Streicher-Imagn Images There have also been rumors of the 76ers possibly looking to make trades, specifically centered around George. Though George did not have a productive season in his first year with the team, it seems like they are planning on keeping him, according to Marc Stein. "By simply staying at No. 3, Philadelphia would introduce an $11.1 million salary onto its books for 2025-26," Stein wrote. "So, the Sixers expect to operate near (or maybe even above) the second apron for this upcoming campaign, sources say, as they prepare to give Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey another shot to try to contend for a championship after they managed to appear in just 15 games (7-8) together this season." Advertisement It seems like the 76ers want to run it back while adding a key player in the draft, and they also want to re-sign Quentin Grimes, who was their best healthy player on the floor at the end of the season. Related: New Details Emerge on Bucks-Spurs Trade Talks for Giannis Antetokounmpo This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
76ers Predicted to Land Award-Winning Playmaker
76ers Predicted to Land Award-Winning Playmaker originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia 76ers hold the No. 3 pick of the 2025 NBA draft. Since acquiring the pick at the draft lottery, they've explored their options on which prospect they'll potentially draft. Initially, the 76ers were rumored to draft Ace Bailey, but that has since changed. Advertisement Bailey's talent is something that teams have enjoyed seeing since his days at Rutgers. This is why he's touted to be the No.3 pick. However, his refusal to meet and work out with teams has affected his draft stock. The 6-foot-10 forward has not done a pre-draft workout with any team, including the 76ers. This is why Philly is leaning on drafting Baylor guard V.J. Edgecombe. Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe has the ball against the Mississippi State Taft-Imagn Images On Sunday, ESPN's draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo released their latest mock draft. Due to Bailey's unwillingness to do a workout with any team, the experts believe that Philly will draft Edgecombe. "Edgecombe appears in pole position to hear his name called at No. 3 because of his unique talent, but also because Ace Bailey's clear determination to avoid teams in this range puts the 76ers in a difficult position, potentially selecting someone who clearly does not want to play for them," the ESPN experts wrote. Advertisement Edgecombe reportedly had a private workout with the organization over the weekend. Although he appeared nervous during the session, he's the clear favorite after leaving a strong impression. "While sources say Edgecombe appeared nervous during his private workout in Philadelphia and did not shoot the ball particularly well in an unnatural one-on-one setting, he made a strong impression in interviews and meetings, something the front office values more highly." While in college, the combo guard averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals. Edgecombe was part of the All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Big 12 All-Freshman Team. According to Givony, Edgecombe possesses high-level explosiveness and has the potential to be a good passer, shooter and defender. Related: 76ers Make Likely Call on Blockbuster Paul George Trade: Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Potential 76ers Prospect Comments on Unusual Pre-Draft Approach
Potential 76ers Prospect Comments on Unusual Pre-Draft Approach originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Every potential top prospect hoping to get drafted into the NBA makes time to do pre-draft workouts for teams. However, Rutgers forward Ace Bailey has a different approach, which has affected his draft stock. Initially, Bailey is the rumored potential draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers as they hold the No. 3 pick. Advertisement Unfortunately for Bailey, his draft stock has gradually plummeted since he has refused to do pre-draft workouts with any organization. The 6-foot-10 forward was scheduled to visit Philly last week to do a private workout with the franchise. However, he canceled the visit and is the only top prospect in the U.S. who has not done a workout. Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey slaps hands with fans after the game against the Minnesota Golden Carchietta-Imagn Images His pre-draft approach has drawn criticism from experts, former players and fans. Many are curious to know the reason why he didn't work out with any team. On Tuesday, a day before the 2025 NBA draft, Bailey broke his silence. 'I'm just working on basketball,' Bailey said. 'That's all I'm focused on.' Advertisement 'I feel like I can only control what I can control,' he added. 'You can think what you think, but I can control what I can control. [I can only control] me playing basketball.' He didn't specify why he didn't want to do any workout with any of the teams that are interested in him. In recent mock drafts, the 76ers are predicted to draft V.J. Edgecombe, despite not having the best workout. It was reported by ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo that Edgecombe showed a bit of "nervousness" during his private workout. However, he still left a strong impression on the 76ers. But drafting Bailey hasn't left the minds of Philly's front office. They're still considering using the No. 3 pick to draft the scoring forward. However, experts believe that Edgecombe is in pole position to be selected by the 76ers. Advertisement Related: 76ers Predicted to Land Award-Winning Playmaker This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
