Entering his sophomore season, San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama faces lofty expectations for what could be an incredible reponse to a historic rookie season.
After a stellar rookie campaign that saw him unanimously win Rookie of the Year and secure a spot on the NBA All-Defensive First Team, Wembanyama is now a legitimate contender for multiple major awards in the 2024-25 season.
At 7-foot-5 with an 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama’s unique combination of size, skill, and defensive prowess position him to be one of the most dynamic players in basketball history.
There are various awards Wembanyama has a real shot to win in 2024-25. Let’s look at his outlook on DraftKings Sportsbook for Most Improved Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and MVP.
Wembanyama is a Most Improved Player Favorite
Wembanyama’s stat line from his rookie year reads like something out of a video game: 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. Despite only averaging 29.7 minutes per contest and missing some time with midseason ankle injuries, his production was nothing short of dominant. Now, many analysts are predicting an even bigger leap in his sophomore campaign.
With Wembanyama playing a more significant role and the Spurs likely ramping up his minutes, he is already considered one of the top candidates for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Wembanyama is tied with Evan Mobley at +1000 odds to win the award. If he can build on his already elite foundation, Wembanyama has a genuine shot at becoming one of the NBA’s best players within just his second year.
Given how lofty Wembanyama’s counting stats already were in his first season, increasing his shooting splits could be a significant element to showcasing improvement. He shot 46.5% from the floor and 32.5% from beyond the arc—providing plenty of room for someone as talented as him to reach new heights. Having one of the league’s most savvy pick-and-roll ball handlers and playmakers in Chris Paul as a floor general should help Wembanyama to maximize his efficiency.
After helping guide France to the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Wembanyama issued a warning to the basketball world that he’s coming. “I’m learning, and I’m worried for the opponents in a couple of years,” he said in August after totaling 26 points and seven rebounds against Team USA.
Wembanyama is Favored to Win Defensive Player of the Year
Wembanyama’s impact on the defensive end of the floor is already being compared to some of the best defenders in NBA history. As a rookie, he finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, with only Rudy Gobert narrowly edging him out for his fourth award. Wembanyama earned 19 first-place votes and appeared on 81 ballots, an impressive feat for a first-year player.
While endorsing Gobert, his fellow French national teammate, Wembanyama issued a warning to the league that the future of this award belongs to him. “I know that Rudy (Gobert) has a very good chance of winning it this year, and it would be deserved. Let him win it now, because after that it’s no longer his turn,” he said in March.
The expectations for Wembanyama’s defense are so high that he enters the 2024-25 season as the favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award at -180 on DraftKings Sportsbook. At just 20 years old, winning this award would make Wembanyama the youngest player in NBA history to earn the honor. After winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, Jaren Jackson Jr. joined Alvin Robertson, Kawhi Leonard, and Dwight Howard as the only 23-year-olds to achieve this feat.
Everything about Wembanyama’s defensive ability is unprecedented. He not only alters shots with his incredible physical tools but also switches onto guards, contests perimeter shots, and serves as a reliable shot blocker in the paint. If he continues on his current trajectory, Wembanyama could revolutionize what it means to be a defensive force in the NBA.
Wembanyama is Already a Dark-Horse MVP Candidate
Though it’s rare for a second-year player to become an MVP contender, Wembanyama might be an exception. Former NBA veteran Patrick Beverley, known for his candid and bold opinions, recently shared his belief that Wembanyama will be the NBA’s best player this season.
“He’s not a five,” Beverley said on The Pat Bev Podcast. “He’s everything. Like you can’t even put him in comparison with other people; he’s the best player in the NBA next year. He’s a center who shoots threes and dribbles the ball… Just because you’re 7’4″ doesn’t make you a center. We’re talking about guys who are centers, who come out and set screen and rolls. None of the guys that we are naming come up and shoot hesi-pull threes… He’s an alien; he’s positionless.”
Beverley’s high praise may seem hyperbolic for a second-year player, but the numbers suggest that Wembanyama has the talent to make a serious MVP push. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, he has +2500 odds to win the award, putting him ninth overall among all players.
While it’s a long shot, Wembanyama’s talent is undeniable, and if he can lead the Spurs to success while maintaining or improving his already impressive production, the MVP conversation may very well include his name. It remains to be seen how significant a turnaround he can guide San Antonio to achieve after going 22-60—ranked 14th in the Western Conference.
Wembanyama is Motivated to Dominate
Wembanyama’s dominant all-around impact on both ends of the floor made him a unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year, joining San Antonio Spurs legends David Robinson and Tim Duncan as the only players in franchise history to achieve the honor. His diligent focus on his development has set the foundation for the type of career that could command a lot of hardware with the goal of winning championships.
After receiving the award, Wembanyama humbly acknowledged the work that remains ahead. “Physically, the work is never going to be done,” Wembanyama said after winning Rookie of the Year. “I’ve had my plan for months ready for all of my body, and we’re going to keep discovering new ways to get better and work on my body. For basketball, there’s a lot I want to work on.”
With an unprecedented combination of size, athleticism, and skill, Wembanyama’s potential feels limitless, and as he continues to develop his game, the NBA should take notice. Whether he’s contending for Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, or even MVP, he very well could dominate the league for years to come.
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All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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