Speaking with Malika Andrews on NBA Today, Victor Wembanyama drew a clear line between pure offensive output and all-around dominance.

He called Nikola Jokic the best offensive player in the league but declined to place him at the top overall. Instead, the San Antonio Spurs star identified Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the current best players — a battle between two-way forces whose impact stretches far beyond scoring.

Wembanyama’s framing reflects his bias toward defense and versatility, traits he sees in Giannis, who has multiple All-Defensive selections and a Defensive Player of the Year award while anchoring elite Milwaukee units. Including Gilgeous-Alexander — fresh off an MVP and Finals MVP run with the champion Oklahoma City Thunder — acknowledges how perimeter stars who control both ends can tilt series the way dominant bigs once did.

Jokic’s Brilliance and the Defense Factor

Wembanyama did not downplay Jokic’s greatness. The Denver Nuggets center is averaging near a 30-point triple-double this season, leading the league in rebounds and assists while driving one of the most efficient offenses in basketball. Yet tracking data shows opponents shoot better than their norms when Jokic is the primary defender, highlighting a defensive gap.

For Wembanyama — already a two-time league leader in blocks and a true rim-protecting anchor — defense is central to “best player” status. His comments reinforce the idea that the title should factor both ends of the floor, not just highlight-reel scoring.

A Young Star Claiming the Future

Perhaps most striking was Wembanyama’s confidence that, once healthy, he expects that crown to be his. At just 21, he already owns a Rookie of the Year award, an All-Star appearance, and two block titles, while showcasing an uncommon mix of three-point shooting, ball handling, and interior dominance.

This combination of self-belief and production positions Wembanyama as a potential focal point in the league’s future. In a landscape crowded with giants like Jokic, Giannis, and Gilgeous-Alexander, he has made it clear: he sees himself at the center of the best-player conversation, redefining what the role should encompass.