Kevin Garnett, one of the NBA’s great big men, said he would be happy to work with Victor Wembanyama during the summer. Garnett, a league champion, MVP and Hall of Famer, made the comments on the “Ticket & The Truth” podcast after the San Antonio Spurs lost the 2026 NBA Finals.
Garnett said Wembanyama should spend less time trying to add muscle and more time building core strength and physical stability. “If I were him, I would work on core strength,” Garnett said. “When it came to playing with my back to the basket and creating an advantage in the paint, I was the best at it.” He added that for a lean player like Wembanyama, the key is not necessarily extra weight, but better balance, stability and the ability to establish deep position inside.
The former forward said he would also like to teach the French star footwork, body fakes, mid-post play and how to create separation from defenders. The two already know each other, after holding a long private meeting before the 2024/25 season, and Garnett has often praised Wembanyama’s rare mix of size, athleticism and skill.
At the same time, Garnett has also been one of his sharper critics. Just weeks ago, he sparked controversy by calling the 22-year-old center “too emotional” after Wembanyama cried when the Spurs reached the Western Conference finals. Even so, Garnett said he still strongly believes in the young star’s potential and would welcome the chance to work with him, while acknowledging that this generation trains differently.