​Victor Wembanyama‘s new contract with the San Antonio Spurs has led to debate despite securing the franchise cornerstone for years to come.The 22-year-old signed a five-year, $252 million rookie maximum extension with a player option, keeping him under contract through the 2031-32 NBA season. However, his decision to accept a 25 percent maximum instead of a possible 30 percent supermax has divided opinion.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpeaking on ESPN’s First Take, NBA analyst Vincent Goodwill questioned whether players should be praised for leaving money on the table.“I hate it because ain’t neither one of us sitting here gonna leave money on the table,” Goodwill said. “I think it sets a bad precedent for the NBA.”MORE: LeBron James receives hilarious free agency pitch from Spurs centerGoodwill argued that recent collective bargaining agreements have increasingly favored team owners. He believes Wembanyama’s decision could create pressure on future stars to follow the same path.“The Spurs have three potential max players on their roster. Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper,” Goodwill said. “Victor Wembanyama maybe can make up that five percent with his Nike deal and everything else.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGoodwill believes Wembanyama’s financial strength does not apply to every young player. “Does that mean Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle? They have to take less because Victor Wembanyama took less,” he said.He also challenged the idea that fans value salary flexibility over star talent. “I’ve yet to see anybody buy a jersey that says, ‘We save money’ on the back of it,” Goodwill said. “I’ve yet to see somebody buy a jersey that says, ‘Cap space and flexibility.’”Goodwill finished with a broader criticism of NBA economics. “When’s the last time we asked an owner to sacrifice some money for the sake of winning?” he said. “The fact that you’re putting players in a spot where they have to be both player and executive, give them two salaries then because they’re doing two people’s jobs.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWembanyama’s decision strengthens San Antonio’s championship outlook. The Spurs finished 62-20, reached the 2026 NBA Finals, and built around Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and rookie Dylan Harper.MORE: Caleb Wilson shines in NBA Summer League debut, sets record in first gameStill, Goodwill’s criticism raises a fair point. Wembanyama can recover lost earnings through endorsements, but many elite players cannot. His contract may help the Spurs build a contender, yet it could also influence future negotiations across the league.