Victor Wembanyama is officially coming for Ben Wallace’s DPOY throne, and ESPN’s latest forecast for the 2026-27 NBA season makes it clear this isn’t just talk. The San Antonio Spurs superstar is projected to not only equal Wallace’s impressive DPOY record, but could very well usurp him entirely. This kid isn’t even in his prime yet, and the league is already bracing for what’s next.
Wemby Is Running Away With the DPOY
When you look at ESPN’s 2026-27 NBA DPOY Summer Forecast, it’s not even a contest. Wemby pulled in a ridiculous 108 points. Who was second? Giannis Antetokounmpo with just 20 points. Chet Holmgren got 13 points, while Amen Thompson and Bam Adebayo tied at 12 points apiece. Rudy Gobert rounded out the top six with 10 points. That’s a huge gap! It really shows how far ahead Wembanyama is from everyone else when it comes to defensive impact.
The only real question mark for Wembanyama running away with this award is whether he hits that 65-game threshold by season’s end. If he does, then honestly, this DPOY race is already decided. Plus, let’s not forget he’s got a serious chip on his shoulder after missing out on the NBA MVP race and the Larry O’Brien trophy. That kind of fire guarantees a career year for the Spurs’ phenom.
Historic Trajectory and Lofty Goals
ESPN is putting it out there: Wembanyama is the “overwhelming favorite to win this award annually,” and it’s a “pretty good bet that Wembanyama will set the record for most DPOYs while he still has plenty of his prime remaining.” Right now, that record is four DPOYs, shared by Gobert, Ben Wallace, and Dikembe Mutombo. Can Wemby actually get there and beyond?
His projected Per 36 numbers for the 2026-27 season are wild: 29.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.9 blocks, and 1.3 steals. If those hold up, he’s setting career highs in multiple defensive categories, beating his previous peaks of 11.5 total rebounds, 3.8 blocks per game, and 1.2 steals per game. Those are monstrous numbers for anyone, let alone a player not yet in his full prime.
Now, how does he stack up against legends like Hakeem Olajuwon and Mutombo? Look, the source says he’s “still nowhere near the peaks” those guys hit. Olajuwon once averaged an insane 14 rebounds and 4.6 blocks in the 1989-90 season. Mutombo also put up 14.1 rebounds and 4.5 blocks. So, yeah, Wemby’s got a ways to go to hit *those* legendary peaks, but the fact we’re even having this conversation says everything.
The 2026-27 season is setting up to be a historic one for Victor Wembanyama. With that DPOY record in sight and a hunger for more, watching his defensive evolution is gonna be must-see TV. Can he truly carve his name into history alongside defensive titans like Wallace and Mutombo? All signs point to yes. Get ready for a show, because Wemby is just getting started.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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