Sometimes, when we get an unrelated cameo on Hard Knocks, it’s a juicy little tidbit that is sure to spark some unintended conversation. That’s exactly what might happen with a clip from the latest episode featuring San Antonio Spurs general manager Brian Wright and head coach Mitch Johnson chatting with Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald.
The discussion concerns Wright and Johnson expanding on the Spurs’ initial process in trying to get young phenom Victor Wembanyama onto their team. Wright and Johnson claimed that the Spurs knew Wembanyama would be special when they saw him at age 16. From there, they put a “plan in motion” to “turn the team over” about a year later in an effort to put themselves in as good a position as possible to draft Wembanyama.
Hmm, turn the team over? You mean … make the Spurs worse for draft lottery odds? The Spurs notably had a paltry 22-60 record in the season they earned the No. 1 overall pick that allowed them to draft Wembanyama. If I didn’t know any better, that sure sounds like … what amounts to tanking! I don’t think the NBA would retroactively punish the Spurs for this, even in light of a reformed anti-tanking draft lottery plan.
However, I still can’t imagine this is something San Antonio wanted out in the open because of the potential bad optics:
Awesome clip from Hard Knocks talking about Victor Wembanyama
“Our CEO saw him when he was 16…came back from his trip and said I think I saw the greatest player I’ve ever seen in my life…”
“And literally 12 months later we put a plan in motion to turn the team over…” https://t.co/rLOAYtGxF6pic.twitter.com/IdUYU4KzzK
— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) August 11, 2026
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Whatever the truth is here, I’m sure that franchises like the Spurs are so grateful that draft lottery reform came after they were able to position themselves for a new MVP-caliber superstar like Wembanyama.
After the Spurs selected Wembanyama, the Charlotte Hornets took Brandon Miller at No. 2 overall, which was then followed by the Portland Trail Blazers taking point guard Scoot Henderson at No. 3 overall.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Hard Knocks shows Spurs’ long plan to draft Victor Wembanyama years in advance
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