Shaquille O’Neal’s prediction for Victor Wembanyama’s future

The disappointment of the 2026 NBA Finals loss to the New York Knicks is still fresh, but Shaquille O’Neal is already looking ahead. His prediction is clear: the San Antonio Spurs will be back on the NBA’s biggest stage as soon as next season.

Speaking on his podcast, Shaq was asked to pick his favorite to win the Western Conference, and he didn’t hesitate.

I’m taking the Spurs over the Thunder. Victor Wembanyama is a matchup nightmare when he plays the right way. The two teams are very similar, but if Victor can dominate three out of four games in a playoff series, I’m taking San Antonio every time

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq: “Wembanyama still needs to get stronger”

Despite the praise, Shaquille O’Neal also had some criticism following the Spurs’ Finals loss to the Knicks. In the former Lakers center’s view, there’s one area where the French star still needs to improve.

I say this with all due respect to Wemby. As talented as he is, he needs to add more muscle. Once you become a dominant big man, opponents get much more physical, and there were several situations where he struggled to handle that contact. I don’t know what his offseason plan is, but he needs to spend a lot of time in the weight room

Shaquille O’Neal

It appears to be advice Wembanyama has already taken to heart. This summer, he continued working on his physique while also reaffirming his commitment to the franchise by signing a five-year, $252 million extension, giving up roughly $51 million compared to the maximum contract he could have received.

Are the Spurs still the favorites in the West?

The only real question mark surrounds San Antonio’s offseason. The Spurs opted for continuity, with Tobias Harris representing their only major addition, choosing not to overhaul a roster that had already reached the NBA Finals.

At the same time, the landscape of the Western Conference also appears to favor San Antonio. The Oklahoma City Thunder remain their biggest obstacle, while several other contenders still have significant question marks. The Minnesota Timberwolves, for example, could have taken a major leap by landing LeBron James, but he ultimately chose the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Los Angeles Lakers also appear to have taken a step back compared to last season.

For that reason, Shaquille O’Neal’s prediction doesn’t seem far-fetched. If everything goes according to plan, there’s a strong chance that the 2027 Western Conference Finals will once again feature a showdown between the Spurs and the Thunder, with Victor Wembanyama ready to further establish himself as one of the NBA’s most dominant players.