Reasons for and against giving the MVP to Victor Wembanyama

The race for the 2025-26 NBA MVP has intensified in recent weeks, and one of the names that has emerged strongly is Victor Wembanyama. The star of the San Antonio Spurs has publicly defended his candidacy, generating considerable media support and reigniting the debate on what should weigh more in the selection of the best player of the season.

Wembanyama, who was already the Rookie of the Year and was clearly favored for Defensive Player of the Year before his deep venous thrombosis issue last season, has structured his argument around three main ideas: the undervaluation of defense in the MVP race, his team's dominance over direct rivals like the Oklahoma City Thunder, and a vision of offensive impact that goes beyond just scoring points.

His speech has not gone unnoticed. In fact, a few days after his statements, the Frenchman surpassed the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, in the official NBA.com rankings, although the Canadian point guard remains the favorite in betting houses.

In Favor of Wembanyama

The French center's main argument is clear: basketball is a sport played on both ends of the court. If defensive impact is given the same value as offensive impact, his candidacy gains enormous strength.

Wembanyama is having a historic defensive season. Leading the league in blocks with 3.1 per game, he anchors a San Antonio defense that ranks among the top three in the NBA, allowing just 110.1 points per 100 possessions. Beyond the numbers, his presence completely alters the behavior of opponents, who shy away from attacking the rim when he's on the court.

His impact also shows in advanced metrics. With him on the floor, the Spurs are 16.8 points per 100 possessions better than without him, a figure comparable to LeBron James' best years. This data reinforces the idea that his influence goes far beyond what's visible in traditional statistics.

On a collective level, San Antonio is one of the great surprises of the season. With a record of 56-18, the team is contending for the best record in the league and boasts the second-best net rating (+8.3), trailing only behind Oklahoma City. A performance that significantly exceeds initial expectations, where many placed the Spurs outside the West's Top 6.

Furthermore, the head-to-head against the Thunder bolsters his candidacy: 4-1 in favor of San Antonio this season, with solid performances from the Frenchman in those matchups.

Against Wembanyama

However, his candidacy also presents clear weaknesses. The first one is playing time. No MVP in history has won the award playing less than 30 minutes per game, and Wembanyama currently averages 29.2 minutes. Surpassing that historical threshold would be a statistical anomaly.

The total volume of minutes also weighs, especially compared to other players who, despite not meeting the minimum game requirement, accumulate more total minutes, like LeBron James, Cade Cunningham, or Kawhi Leonard.

On the offensive side, his numbers don't stand out as much as other candidates. Wembanyama ranks 19th in scoring and contributes minimally as a playmaker, with 3.0 assists per game and a rather modest assist-to-turnover ratio. His 24.2 points average would also be low compared to recent MVPs.

These figures raise doubts about his own argument that offensive impact goes beyond scoring, as his influence as a passer or creator is not particularly high.

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