Victor Wembanyama was one of the most hyped rookies to ever walk into the NBA. At 7-foot-4, with a silky-smooth jumper, he looked the anomaly who could legitimately do everything on the basketball court. In his first year and a half, the reality was even better than the hype.
Already a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Wembanyama earned Rookie of the Year honors and an All-Star selection in his first two years before a deep vein thrombosis ruled him out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. However, for the potential future of the league, fans might be wondering what his contract and salary situation looks like.
What Is Victor Wembanyama’s Contract?
The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NBA and the NBPA (National Basketball Players’ Association) sets forth the guidelines for all rookie contracts dished out to first-round draft picks. As a result, Wembanyama, as the No. 1 pick in 2023, had the terms of his contract already set.
He signed with the San Antonio Spurs on a four-year deal worth $55.1 million, whose annual dividend steadily increases each season. Moreover, the team also holds an option to renew his deal in both the third and fourth seasons.
After that, Wembanyama is eligible to sign an extension, and per the Rose Rule, the Spurs can match any offer extended to him by a different team as well. By some estimates, he could be the first player in NBA history to amass over a billion dollars through career earnings alone.
What Is Wembanyama’s Salary?
The $55 million that Wembanyama is potentially owed is spread out over four years, beginning in the year he was drafted, 2023. That year, he earned $12.1 million, a relative bargain for the Rookie of the Year and the runner-up in DPOY voting.
This year, his income was right around the same number at $12.7 million. But the amount was a gigantic steal, considering the season the Frenchman was having. Before going down with an injury, Wembanyama was averaging over 24 points and nearly 11 rebounds while adding more than three assists and blocks apiece.
The betting favorite to be the DPOY, he also earned his first All-Star selection and was a shoo-in for an All-NBA berth as well.
Over the next two seasons, the Spurs hold team options over his contract. Provided he makes a full recovery, it will be a no-brainer from San Antonio to opt in for the $13.3 million and $16.8 million Wembanyama is set to make in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
What Is Wembanyama’s Net Worth?
While there isn’t an official estimate, most online sources peg the superstar center to have a net worth of around $10 million. While not as gaudy as some of the other stars in the league, Wembanyama is just getting started.
In just his second season in the NBA, he’s already shown the potential to be among the all-time greats. However, his ceiling in terms of earnings might be completely unprecedented. Keeping injuries aside, if he continues to develop at his current place, he’ll be in line for multiple max extensions.
The first, after his rookie season, would net Wembanyama close to $315 million before the true supermax kicks in, somewhere in the range of $529 million. His total earnings would already be around $900 million by the time he turns 32.
Any future contracts will be the gravy necessary to take him over the top and land him a total career earnings upwards of $1 billion.
