Wemby: Jokic the best offensive player; Giannis or SGA the best player

As Victor Wembanyama sets his sights on returning to the floor for the first time since suffering a calf injury in November, the Spurs star offered some unique insights into the NBA’s evolving MVP race and broader player hierarchy.

In an interview with ESPN on Friday, Wembanyama was asked who he believes is the best player in the league. After a brief pause, the young San Antonio center laid out a clear distinction in his mind.

“I think Jokic is the best offensive player,” Wembanyama said. “I don’t think he’s the best player… It’s hard to say. I think it’s between Giannis and Shai.”

Wembanyama didn’t expand on the reasoning behind his answer, but the logic becomes clearer when viewed through the lens of how greatness is often defined in today’s NBA. While Nikola Jokic has been widely regarded as the league’s best player in recent seasons, much of that acclaim has been driven by his historic offensive impact rather than his work on the defensive end.

Basketball, by nature, is a two-way sport, and the title of “best player” is frequently reserved for those who excel on both ends of the floor. Jokic remains in a class of his own offensively, blending elite scoring, generational playmaking, and an uncanny ability to manipulate defensive coverages. Defensively, however, his limitations have long been part of the conversation. Opposing teams often target him in space, particularly in pick-and-roll situations, forcing Denver to scheme around those weaknesses.

That’s likely where Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander separate themselves in Wembanyama’s eyes. Both are widely regarded as premier two-way players, combining high-level offensive production with relentless defensive activity. They consistently generate steals, deflections, and timely stops, tilting games in ways that extend beyond scoring alone.

While there may be a marginal gap between the trio offensively, the difference on the defensive end is more pronounced. That imbalance may be enough, likely in Wembanyama’s estimation, to elevate Giannis or Shai over Jokic in the broader debate – and it helps explain why he views the league’s top spot through a two-way lens.

Wembanyama thinks he will be the best player in the league when he comes back

By that same standard, Wembanyama didn’t shy away from placing himself in the conversation. Following up on his initial take, he delivered an even bolder statement.

“When I come back on the court, I think it will be me,” Wembanyama said.

The confidence is not without substance. Before being sidelined, Wembanyama was averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 3.6 blocks across 12 games. His offensive growth has been evident, marked by improved efficiency, a deeper scoring arsenal, and sharper decision-making with the ball in his hands.

Defensively, he remains a game-changing presence, and if he meets the league’s games-played requirement, he could find himself winning the Defensive Player of the Year outright this year, and be in that same conversation for the award for years to come. Wembanyama is that good offensively and that two-way dominance aligns directly with the criteria he has implied about Giannis and SGA.

If Wembanyama’s implied definition of the league’s best player holds true, it’s not unreasonable to suggest that he either is – or soon will be – at the top of that list. Perhaps not immediately upon his return, but if he resumes the level of play he showed early in the season, and continues to build on it, that arrival may come sooner than expected.

For a 22-year-old to make such a claim publicly, the intrigue lies not in the boldness of the statement, but in the fact that the skill set and production already point in that direction.

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Wembanyama will have an opportunity to begin backing up his words when the Spurs face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas in the semifinals of the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup on Saturday, December 13.