Victor Wembanyama is not joking when it comes to who he believes is the best player in the NBA.
And it’s not three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic.
“I think Jokic is the best offensive player. I don’t think he’s the best player,” Wembanyama said during an ESPN interview ahead of the sidelined Spurs star’s expected return to the lineup Saturday against Oklahoma City in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas.
The third-year center, who hasn’t played since Nov. 14 due to a calf injury, listed two other recent MVPs — Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the league-best Thunder — ahead of Jokic for their all-around play at both ends of the court.
The 7-foot-4 Wembanyama also included himself as a possibility once he returns to action.
“It’s hard to say, I think it’s between Giannis and Shai,” Wembanyama said. “When I come back on the court, I think it will be me.”
Gilgeous-Alexander earned MVP honors for the first time last year and led OKC to the NBA championship, while Antetokounmpo won the award in 2019 and 2020 and led Milwaukee to the title in 2021.
Jokic, who won his lone ring with the Nuggets in 2023, is averaging a triple-double for the second consecutive season with 29.5 points per game and league-bests in rebounds (12.3) and assists (10.9).
The 21-year-old Wembanyama has only appeared in 12 games this season, but he’s posted career-highs in points (26.2), boards (12.9) and assists (4.0), plus 3.6 blocked shots per game.
The Spurs (17-7) and the Nuggets (18-6) won’t face each other again until March 12 after Wembanyama missed the first meeting between the teams on Nov. 28 due to the injury.
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