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Victor Wembanyama Out for Season: Career Ramifications, Rookie Card Impact, and the Chris Bosh Comparison

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San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, the team confirmed on February 20.

Despite the Spurs insisting that his long-term health and basketball future are not in danger, this type of medical issue raises significant questions about his durability, career trajectory, and even the value of his rookie cards. This injury isn't just a short-term setback—it could have ripple effects across his legacy and the sports card market.


The Diagnosis: What We Know So Far

Spurs interim head coach Mitch Johnson told reporters that there is "no concern for Victor's health personally (long-term) or his basketball activities." The team remains confident that he will make a full recovery in time for the 2025-26 season.

According to reports, Wembanyama had been experiencing low energy in recent weeks, and the condition was discovered shortly after he participated in NBA All-Star Weekend.

While the team downplays the seriousness of the situation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the shoulder is a rare condition for a young, elite athlete. Even if the medical staff is optimistic, this is not an injury to take lightly—especially considering Wembanyama's unprecedented height and playing style, which already placed concerns on his long-term durability.


Chris Bosh’s Blood Clot History: A Warning Sign?

While the Spurs expect Wembanyama to make a full recovery, the situation draws eerie parallels to Hall of Famer Chris Bosh, whose career was cut short by recurring blood clots.

Bosh was initially diagnosed with blood clots in 2015, and although he attempted to return to the court, the condition resurfaced multiple times. Eventually, he was forced to retire early, at just 32 years old, despite still being in his prime.

The key difference? Wembanyama’s blood clot is localized to his shoulder, while Bosh’s condition affected his lungs and required lifelong medication. However, blood clots are known to recur unpredictably, and any sign of reoccurrence in Wembanyama could drastically alter the outlook of his career.

The Spurs will undoubtedly monitor his condition closely, but given the franchise’s history of prioritizing player health (think Kawhi Leonard’s quad injury drama), they may be even more cautious moving forward—potentially limiting his minutes or reducing his workload in future seasons.


How This Affects Wembanyama’s Career Trajectory

Before this diagnosis, Wembanyama was building one of the most dominant early-career resumes in NBA history. Through 46 games, he was averaging:

24.3 points
11.0 rebounds
3.7 assists
3.8 blocks (league leader)
1.1 steals

He was living up to the hype, proving to be the most impactful young defensive player the NBA has seen in decades, while also leading France to a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Now, missing an entire season in Year 2 halts all momentum and raises new concerns:

  • Injury Reputation & Load Management – Wembanyama was already expected to play limited minutes throughout his career due to his frame, but this injury may push the Spurs to further restrict his availability in future seasons.
  • Team Chemistry Disruption – The Spurs just acquired De’Aaron Fox at the trade deadline, hoping to fast-track their rebuild. With Wembanyama sidelined, that process is now delayed, and the franchise will have to wait at least another year to see how the two stars mesh.
  • Delaying the Spurs’ Competitive Window – Before this injury, San Antonio had a realistic shot at the Play-In Tournament in a crowded Western Conference. Now, the team will shift its focus away from competing and toward long-term development, potentially delaying their rise back to playoff contention.

The Immediate Impact on Wembanyama’s Rookie Card Market

One of the most overlooked side effects of sports injuries is how they impact the player’s trading card value. The sports card market heavily relies on hype and momentum, and Wembanyama’s sudden exit from the season is already having a direct impact on his rookie card prices.

📉 Short-Term Price Drop Expected

  • Wembanyama’s Prizm, National Treasures RPAs (Rookie Patch Autographs), and high-end parallels will likely see a 20-30% price decline in the coming months.
  • Less hype = less demand, and with Wembanyama off the court, collectors may turn their focus toward other rising stars like Chet Holmgren or Scoot Henderson.
💰 A Buying Opportunity for Long-Term Investors?

  • Smart investors may see this as a chance to buy Wembanyama cards at a discount before he returns next season.
  • If he comes back strong in 2025-26, expect a major rebound in his card prices.
🛑 The Chris Bosh Factor: Worst-Case Scenario for Card Investors

  • If Wembanyama’s condition recurs or forces him to take long-term medication, his market could take a permanent hit.
  • Bosh's rookie cards once held significant value, but after his forced medical retirement, they plummeted and never recovered.
  • If collectors start to fear a repeat of Bosh’s situation, Wembanyama’s market could take an even bigger dip than expected.

What’s Next for Wembanyama and the Spurs?

For now, all eyes are on Wembanyama’s recovery timeline. If he returns fully healthy for the 2025-26 season, this could end up being just a temporary setback.

However, history shows that once durability concerns emerge for a player, they rarely go away completely. The Spurs will likely take an even more conservative approach to his workload, ensuring that this doesn’t become a long-term issue.

From a sports card market perspective, expect a short-term decline in Wembanyama’s rookie card prices, but savvy collectors may use this as a chance to invest at a discount—betting on his future dominance.

Ultimately, Wembanyama’s basketball career isn’t in immediate danger, but this is his first real moment of adversity. How he bounces back from this setback could define whether he becomes a true generational icon—or if health concerns derail his ascent to NBA superstardom.

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