Spurs’ $3.6M Decision Will Save Victor Wembanyama From Health Problems, Claims NBA Insider

The San Antonio Spurs watched their entire season change the moment Victor Wembanyama was ruled out with a dangerous health issue earlier this year. The 21-year-old center, who had been averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks across 46 games, was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder in February. Doctors immediately shut him down, as blood clots can end careers and even endanger lives. “His arm didn’t feel completely normal,” Spurs acting coach Mitch Johnson explained when the medical staff first detected the condition.

Without Wembanyama, the Spurs went just 1-4 in their first five games after the diagnosis. Even though the team had recently landed All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox, the absence of their 7-foot-5 star crushed any playoff momentum. Health became the primary focus, and protecting Wembanyama’s long-term future turned into the franchise’s most important task. Now, a noted NBA insider has claimed that the Spurs’ latest move is bound to help Wemby with his health issues as well.

On YouTube, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer revealed that the Spurs are bringing back Bismack Biyombo on a one-year deal. “Bismack Biyombo is going back to the San Antonio Spurs,” Fischer said, noting that the move provides more lineup flexibility. Biyombo was initially given two ten-day deals before the one-year contract. Fischer called Biyombo a serviceable veteran, claiming that the aim for Wemby is to at least compete for the play-in tournament next campaign. Further, Fischer claimed that the Spurs are still trying to determine whether Wemby is at his best as a “fiveman or as a fourman,” as he has found success in both those position.

“They kind of originally wanted him to play at the power forward position to spare him physical contact that comes at the five spot with big burly sevenfooters. And the league is obviously scaled down, but there’s been even less, you know, bumping and bruising that happens at the fourth spot. I think adding in another big man into their front court shows that San Antonio is going to have even more combinations to play with”. The contract, according to Spotrac, is a $3.6 million non-guaranteed agreement, which makes it a low-risk but potentially high-impact decision for the team. Biyombo is a veteran center who can easily push Wemby to the power forward position, with the move expected to further help the Spurs in this experiment.

The reasoning is simple: Wembanyama has already endured major health setbacks, and being locked in at center only increases his exposure to physical contact. Research shows that centers face 40.5 % of all in-game collisions, nearly double of 19.6% which power forwards absorb. By shifting Biyombo into minutes at the five, the Spurs can slide Wembanyama into the four more often, sparing his body from unnecessary wear. Biyombo averaged 5.1 points and 5.9 rebounds with a 53.7 FG% last season. And though modest, those numbers look enough to steady San Antonio’s rotation.

The $3.6 million commitment may not sound like much in today’s NBA economy, but its value is tied to protecting a generational player. Victor Wembanyama is the face of the franchise, already an All-Star in just his second season. Ensuring he avoids the punishing contact that centers take night after night is a strategic investment, not just a roster filler. Biyombo’s presence, along with Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk, gives coach Mitch Johnson multiple tools to manage rotations without burning out his 21-year-old cornerstone. And as Fischer pointed out, the Spurs believe this specific decision can save Wembanyama from the same kind of physical strain that derailed Chris Bosh and other players who dealt with blood clots.

For now, the spotlight is firmly on Wembanyama’s recovery, but Biyombo’s return provides immediate reassurance. His experience, physicality, and willingness to battle in the paint allows the Spurs to keep their star out of constant collisions. San Antonio’s $3.6 million move may not scream championship chase, but it quietly signals that the franchise is prioritizing the long-term health of its most important player. And for Biyombo, it also marks another chapter in a career that once took an alarming turn in Oklahoma City. That brings us to the question many fans still ask.

Bismack Biyombo is an inspiration by himself

The Spurs’ new insurance policy comes with his own remarkable story of resilience. Bismack Biyombo’s career took a frightening detour during the 2023-24 season when he was with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the 6’8″ center suddenly collapsed on the bench, falling backward in a moment that silenced the entire arena.

Teammates and medical staff rushed to his side as he was led to the locker room. Thankfully, Thunder reporters later confirmed he was cleared of any serious medical issues. Despite the scary incident, Biyombo demonstrated the toughness the Spurs now covet, returning to the court to continue his career. This resilience is precisely what San Antonio needs- a player who understands the physical demands of the NBA and can handle the rigors of defending the paint.

If it can help the Spurs cotton-wrap Wemby further, it is only an obvious bonus. Wembanyama played in just 46 games last season and suffered multiple injuries. The the 7’3” star has a prior history of injuries dating back to his teenage years in Europe, including fibula and shoulder setbacks. If a Biyombo move helps him escape the extra contact Centers in the NBA receive, the Spurs have understandably pulled off a no-brainer.

For a Spurs team building around the young Victor Wembanyama, adding a respected veteran who has overcome his own health scare to provide depth and leadership is a shrewd, low-cost move with potentially massive benefits for their franchise cornerstone’s future.