Victor Wembanyama Puts 'Power' in Ranking

San Antonio Spurs fans can lay off the critiques of players missing Victor Wembanyama for alley-oops or other baskets around the rim. Chris Paul should ease Wembanyama's workload due to his elite trait of enhancing his teammates' contributions.

However, will such a roster addition of a past-his-prime point guard influence the win-loss column to the point of moving up the Western Conference's long ladder?

USA Today's Thunder Wire curated a power rankings list and slotted San Antonio 20th. Ranked below the Spurs are the Miami Heat. Once considered San Antonio's NBA Finals rival, the Erik Spoelstra-coached team is on the verge of falling out of the playoff race. Jimmy Butler turns 35, and the team did nothing of substance to lessen the expectations for an aging star hindered by injury during the last two seasons.

However, on the other side of the revolving door, the Spurs head into the fourth quarter rejuvenated with the addition of Harrison Barnes and Chris Paul. Furthermore, Wembanyama's silver medal experience drove the French center to a new hunger level.

Holding a theoretical rank over Miami doesn't hold water to the actual season, but interestingly, the Spurs are perceived as a better team.

Despite finishing with 22 wins for two consecutive seasons, San Antonio looks to improve with the veteran additions and the natural progression from Wembanyama.

Will continuity matter with a team consisting mainly of the same players from the era that made Wembanyama a Spur? Ultimately, San Antonio will go as far as Wembanyama's eight-foot wingspan will take it. Still, considering the cruel Western Conference, where 46-win teams miss the playoffs, San Antonio will have to make further changes to give Wembanyama a slight boost.

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Historically, the Spurs don't tinker much with the roster in the offseason, but such a strategy must occur if they want to push for the Play-In.