NBA Notes: Spurs, Victor Wembanyama, Thunder, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jazz

Spurs

Victor Wembanyama isn’t shying away from the reality of where the Spurs stand.

Trailing the Knicks 2-0 in the NBA Finals, the San Antonio star acknowledged his young team may not fully appreciate how difficult it is to reach this stage.

Speaking to a French reporter, Wembanyama said the Knicks appear to have a greater understanding of the opportunity in front of them.

“They understand how fortunate they are to be in the Finals, and they know it’s not guaranteed they’ll ever get another chance like this,” Wembanyama said, via Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.

The 22-year-old then turned the focus inward.

“As for us, we’re kind of like spoiled kids,” he said. “For some of us, it’s our first season, or one of our first seasons, and we’re already in the Finals. We don’t fully realize it yet.”

Veteran forward Harrison Barnes recently delivered a similar message, urging teammates not to take a Finals appearance for granted.

Meanwhile, Game 2 may have provided a valuable lesson for Wembanyama himself. Despite leading a late comeback attempt, the third-year center committed a costly turnover and foul in the closing moments before missing a potential game-winning jumper.

Even so, Wembanyama continues to show why many view him as the face of the league’s future, and every NBA great has endured painful postseason lessons along the way.

Thunder

After seeing their bid for a repeat championship fall short, the Thunder head into the offseason with one major front-office decision looming.

Center Isaiah Hartenstein holds a $28.5 million team option for next season, leaving Oklahoma City with a choice: Pick up the option or decline it and negotiate a new contract.

Many around the organization expect the latter.

Hartenstein proved especially valuable during Oklahoma City’s playoff run, providing the size and physicality needed to battle Wembanyama and the Spurs after the Thunder adjusted their defensive approach following Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

The veteran center made it clear he hopes to remain in Oklahoma City.

“I love being here. I love the organization,” Hartenstein said during exit interviews. “But it’s a lot in their hands.”

Given his impact and the Thunder’s financial flexibility, a new deal appears likely.

Jazz

The Jazz may soon have a good problem on their hands.

After moving up to No. 2 in the NBA Draft lottery, Utah is preparing for a roster crunch that could affect its starting lineup.

According to Sarah Todd of the Deseret News, assuming Walker Kessler is healthy following shoulder surgery and signs a new contract, he is expected to start alongside Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. in what would be one of the league’s biggest frontcourts.

That leaves several talented young players competing for the remaining spots.

Keyonte George, Ace Bailey and Utah’s eventual No. 2 overall draft pick could all be in the mix for starting roles as the Jazz continue building toward contention in the Western Conference.