On the October 28th episode of NBA Today, Kendrick Perkins made a bold declaration about San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama, claiming that within the next 15 to 20 years, the young phenom will be mentioned alongside LeBron James and Michael Jordan in the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) conversation.
“If this man stays healthy, he’s going to be arguably the best defensive player we’ve ever seen,” Perkins said. “I believe he’s going to win at least five or six Defensive Player of the Year awards. Can someone tell me a flaw he has in his game right now?”
The Spurs have opened the 2025–26 season with an impressive 4–0 record, sitting atop the Western Conference, and much of that success has come from Wembanyama’s dominance. Through four games, he’s averaging 31.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 4.8 blocks on 60% shooting from the field. He currently ranks sixth in scoring, fourth in rebounding, and first in blocks across the league.
Whether Perkins’ prediction proves true or not, Wembanyama is already on a historic trajectory. The 21-year-old has established himself as the frontrunner for the 2025–26 Defensive Player of the Year award and has quickly built a résumé most veterans could only dream of — Rookie of the Year, a two-time blocks leader, All-NBA Defensive Team honors as a rookie, and a one-time All-Star.
Looking ahead, San Antonio appears fully committed to building a championship-caliber roster around its generational cornerstone. The Spurs will still need to overcome Western Conference powerhouses like the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, but they have the ultimate X-factor in Wembanyama — whose mentality and drive set him apart from nearly everyone else.
“He wants to win. That’s what separates him.”
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