Columnist Names Spurs' Victor Wembanyama as Next NBA GOAT After LeBron Era

NBA offseason talk has already begun about whether Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has played his final game, even as the playoffs continue.

That discussion naturally leads to identifying the next great player to challenge for the top spot. Michael Jordan passed the crown to Kobe Bryant upon retiring, and LeBron later took it from Bryant, holding it for nearly two decades.

LeBron James admits future in NBA is unclear after Lakers' playoff exit. A columnist argues the successor has arrived: San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama.

The 7-foot-4 player from France brings a unique mix of skills and size never seen before. Like LeBron, Wembanyama drew massive hype as a teenager. Reports described a 17-year-old in France who shot like Dirk Nowitzki and handled the ball like a point guard, with some already calling him the next greatest of all time.

Spurs' Victor Wembanyama stymies Nets with incredible sequence during win. Fast forward to 2026, and Wembanyama is a two-time NBA All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year. He has led the league in blocks for three straight seasons.

Victor Wembanyama sets NBA postseason block record in the Spurs' loss to the Timberwolves. He stands one win from returning the Spurs to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in nearly a decade. In Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he posted 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

Basketball Hall of Famers agree. NBA champion and Hall of Fame forward Paul Pierce called Wembanyama "the most complete player in the history of the game" on his podcast No Fouls Given, according to Larry Brown Sports.

Victor Wembanyama avoids suspension for elbow on Naz Reid, will play in pivotal Game 5. Shaquille O'Neal, one of the greatest centers in NBA history, described Wembanyama as "the first perfect big man."

The columnist urges fans not to miss out on Wembanyama's rise. A Finals run, including wins over the Timberwolves and the 64-win Oklahoma City Thunder, could position the Spurs as favorites to claim the Larry O'Brien Trophy. At 22, Wembanyama would enter such a scenario with a potential championship ring and Defensive Player of the Year award.