Up to 5 years and $303.3 million! Vembanyama is set to sign a max contract this summer and is expected to stay with the Spurs long-term to pursue a championship.

On February 20th Beijing time, ESPN salary expert Marks reported that there is almost no room for negotiation on Vembanyama’s next deal. From July 7th Beijing time, the Spurs can sign their key player to a 5-year max extension valued at $252 million. The contract will include incentives for All-NBA selections, Defensive Player of the Year, MVP awards, and if he meets those criteria in the 2026-27 season, the total value could rise to $303.3 million. This Spurs star is expected to remain with the team long-term, aiming for a championship run.

Because Vembanyama is ineligible for league awards in the 2024-25 season, even if he meets the criteria this year, his salary in the first year of the extension cannot exceed 30% of the salary cap.

The Spurs have enough salary cap space in the 2026-27 season to accommodate Vembanyama’s extension. The team’s total salary allocation is projected at $216.3 million, with a salary cap estimated at $166 million. Current player commitments total $82.1 million. After accounting for cap holds and team options, the actual available space is $83.8 million, making Vembanyama’s potential extension financially viable.

Other Spurs players like Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Kastle have extensions or team options pending, but Vembanyama’s contract is the team’s highest priority. This season, Vembanyama has played 40 games for the Spurs, averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 51.1% and a three-point percentage of 36.3%. The Spurs stand at 38 wins and 16 losses, currently second in the Western Conference.

Marks noted that Houston’s Amen Thompson is also expected to become the second player to sign a rookie max extension alongside Vembanyama this summer. Thompson has set career highs this season in points, assists, and shooting percentage, and when he is on the court, the Rockets outscore opponents by 5 points per 100 possessions.

Other notable extension candidates include Brandon Miller, Ausar Thompson, Carson Walace, Leffell II, and Bojemski.