Hours before the Phoenix Suns San Antonio Spurs matchup, the basketball world received shocking news regarding Spurs star
Victor Wembanyama. First reported by Shams Charania, Wembanyama will miss the remainder of the season with a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) in his right shoulder. A DVT is another name for a blood clot. An up-and-coming team, how will this affect the Spurs Championship odds?
(Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
The news comes just five days after Victor Wembanyama participated in the NBA All-Star weekend. A participant in the NBA Skills Challenge, Wembayama recorded 16 points and seven rebounds for Team Chuck. Wembanyama's final basket of the game occurred with 1:28 left in the matchup.
Given that players such as Chris Bosh were forced to retire due to similar clotting issues, the recent news caused concern among the basketball world. At just 21 years old, Wemby is a generational talent at 7'3. Drafted by the Spurs no. 1 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Wembanyama is coming off a historic rookie season. One in which he was the first rookie ever to be named All-Defensive team. Running away with the Rookie of the Year award, Wemby is arguably the most exciting player to be drafted since LeBron James.
Now, it's time to address the elephant in the room. The Spurs recently acquired De'Aaron Fox in a three-team trade that sent Zach LaVine to the Kings. Set to become a free agent in 2026-2027, Fox's agent, Rich Paul, has publicly addressed his stamp of approval. Fox, 27, is a veteran who's spent the last eight seasons with the Sacramento Kings. The trade gave a unique opportunity for Wembanyama to play alongside one of the most crafty, speedy guards in the NBA. This will now be put on hold until next season.
FanDuel Spurs NBA Championship Odds For 2024-2025
- Western Conference Winner: +130000
- NBA Championship Winner: +55000
There's no doubt that Victor Wembanyama headlined a
Spurs
team which is the third youngest in the NBA. With Mitch Johnson filling in as interim head coach for Gregg Popovich, the Spurs find themselves in the thick of a very competitive Western Conference. At 24-29, the Spurs are the current no. 12 seed, just three games back of the Warriors for the NBA Play-in Tournament. Speaking of Popovich, he will not return this season.
Overall, it will be difficult to replace Wemby. 17th in scoring, the French sensation was averaging a career-high 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.8 blocks per game. How many NBA teams can say they have a 7'3 big man that can protect the rim and stretch the floor at a high level?
A young, promising team, drafting former UConn Husky Stephon Castle fourth overall in the 2024 NBA was a bolster to this already rebuilding franchise. And now the rookie is given an opportunity to learn from veteran guards Chris Paul and De'Aaron Fox. You add the addition of Paul and Harrison Barnes in the off season. Although the Spurs were unlikely to make Championship noise this year, they headed into the season with +150000 odds to win it all. That in fact ranks no. 21 in the NBA.
The Spurs Have a Challenging Second Half Schedule Ahead Without Wembanyama
Given the Spurs have a tough post All-Star schedule, they will face the Thunder, Rockets, and the Grizzlies in three back-t0-back matchups. Given they are top teams in the Western Conference, it won't be an easy task for the Spurs. In fact, of their 29 remaining games, 19 of them will be against teams who are above .500.
4-6 in their last 10 games, the Spurs rank no. 16 in offensive rating, and no. 19 in defensive rating. This team has shown glimpses of greatness, boasting a 8-6 record in November. Posting his first career 50 point performance against the Wizards on November 13, Wembanyama was the Spurs leading scorer.
With Fox now set to lead an extremely young, talented team, the Spurs are full of depth. Averaging the fifth most bench points, I do believe this is an opportunity for Devin Vassell, Castle, and Keldon Johnson to flourish. Even with Wembanyama, I didn't expect the Spurs to finish as a strong playoff contender. In fact, Castle's Rookie of the Year odds have skyrocketed to -175, making him the overwhelming favorite to win the award.
Last night, we saw a Wemby-less Spurs impressively defeat the Phoenix Suns, 120-109. +2.5 point underdogs, it was Fox's sizzling third quarter that put San Antonio over the edge. Facing a fairly healthy Suns team, the Spurs bench contributed 49 points alone.
Victor Wembanyama Was the Betting Favorite To Win Defensive Player Of The Year
The overwhelming favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award at -2000 odds, I believe the injury impacts Wembanyama more than the team itself. With the injury, Jaren Jackson Jr. is the favorite to win DPOY from +2500 to -130 odds. Leading the NBA in blocks and stocks (blocks + steals), it is impossible to replace the caliber of player in Wemby. If anything, this affects other team's odds, ones who are ahead of them in the standings.
With the NBA trade deadline come and gone, Spurs fans and bettors have the opportunity to look to the future. Although playoff contention is not ruled out, their Champion odds have greatly reduced since the injury news. Now that their odds have doubled, the likely hood is looking less and less.
Prior to the Wembanyama injury news, the Spurs Championship odds burst from +60000 to +15000 after acquiring De'Aaron Fox. While this may not be the year, the future is very bright for the Spurs and bettors. With a 3-4 record without Wembanyama this season, his impact on the team is profound.
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