How Much Money Wemby Gave Up in Pay Cut on $252M Spurs Contract Extension Revealed in New NBA Rumors

Victor Wembanyama reportedly took a pay cut on the five-year extension worth $252 million that he signed with the San Antonio Spurs on Friday.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Wembanyama decided on the 25 percent rookie-scale maximum instead of the 30 percent supermax escalators that would've raised the overall contract value to $303 million.

"San Antonio worked in close partnership with Wembanyama and his representatives, offering the full super max and different variations of extensions," Charania reported. "But Wembanyama ultimately chose a contract sacrifice rooted in giving him and the organization increased ability to build a sustained title contender around him."

Wembanyama will earn $43.5 million in the first year of his extension compared to potentially receiving $52.2 million in his first year with the 30 percent escalators (h/t ESPN's Bobby Marks).

The 22-year-old is only coming off his third season in the NBA, but he's already established himself as one of the top players in the association.

Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from three-point territory during his 2025-26 campaign.

He also recorded 3.1 blocks and 1.0 steals on a nightly basis, earning unanimous Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Wembanyama helped lead the Spurs to a 62-20 record, earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference before advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.

While San Antonio ultimately fell to the New York Knicks, it isn't difficult to envision the team going on more deep playoff runs with a young core headlined by Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.

As the Spurs attempt to remain a threat in the West for years to come, their star center gave them some more financial flexibility in order to do so.