When Rob Pelinka mentioned the word “apron world” during the draft pick introduction press conference, it had significant meaning behind it. The whole of the NBA is now being controlled by the Collective Bargaining Agreement to crack down on power surge. The petrifying effect of the CBA has put the teams in a minefield and the Spurs have been one of the most cautious teams when walking through it. Despite having a star in rookie Victor Wembanyama, they are yet to go gung-ho in their chase for glory.

Sure, adding Chris Paul bolsters their ranks, but is it enough to match the ambition of the Frenchman? The simple answer is a no and the Spurs would be lying if they said so to Wemby. Technically a “semi-bluff” as highlighted by Brian Windhorst.

After a 22-60 finish last season, the Spurs are constantly finding themselves closer to draft lottery luck than the playoffs or even play-in. Chris Paul’s addition this season shows a moderate jump in ambition but that is far from convincing. “Like I was talking about earlier, maybe as a semi-bluff, because this is the Spurs improving without question, improving their weakest position which is point guard and them doing it with a Hall of Famer but also not doing it in a major investment they will have for years,” Brian Windhorst said during the latest of “The Hoop Collective” podcast.

The point guard has been an area of concern for the Spurs over the last few seasons and adding CP3 in there is a good move from their perspective. But how much of an improvement is it, considering a 39-year-old who only played 58 times last season? They needed a long-term solution alongside Victor Wembanyama to push for the play-ins or even beyond.

“You can go to Victor Wimbenyama and say, ‘Victor, we just got you one of the greatest point cards of all time. Look how we’re upgrading the roster.’ That’s a true statement but also at the same time, it’s not like it’s a lock, stock and barrel move. It’s like find a running mate for Victor for a long time, which is what I think is going to be needed,” Windhorst concluded.

The Spurs picked up Stephon Castle with their 4th overall pick this year and have the likes of Tre Jones, Blake Wesley, and Jeremy Sochan to build with a young core around Wemby, but how much will they push during the regular season? With a stacked draft class coming in 2025, it is only sensible to tank the year, but the likes of Wemby and CP3 cannot be content with that. This puts the Spurs in a dilemma, a Cooper Flagg dilemma.

How Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs are in Cooper Flagg dilemma?

Now the question is what exactly is this Cooper Flagg dilemma? Those versed with college basketball knowledge have already projected Cooper Flagg, the Duke’s elite prospect as the top pick of next year’s draft. So to bag him, the Spurs would need a seeding towards the bottom. But how is that acceptable for a player like Victor Wembanyama’s caliber? His generational talent is already attracting prospects from around the NBA to join him in San Antonio and he is only focused on winning. Wemby bagged the ROTY award by averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and a league-leading 3.6 blocks, so his aim is only towards progress.

Chris Paul’s veteran experience and wealth of Knowledge will help the Spurs youngsters throughout the season but he too would like to set into the sunset on a high. Paul’s backcourt expertise and Wembanyama’s second season seem to be a scary prospect for the Western Conference. According to Andrew Lopez, the Spurs will be closer to play-in than the bottom.

“Even if Victor’s even playing at the level that he was playing at the end of the season when he was averaging 23-12, four or five blocks a game, and still shooting pretty, pretty good, I don’t think they’re going to be in a position where they’re going to be, you know, a top team for Cooper Flagg next year. I think they will be closer to the play-in than they will be to the top of the lottery,” said ESPN’s Spurs correspondent in the same podcast.

For the Spurs, with Wemby and CP3 available, a projected win-loss ratio can be somewhere around 35-57 to 40-42 but that will neither put them in a play-in spot, given how stacked the West is, nor will do them any favors for the coveted jewel, Cooper Flagg.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video