Victor Wembanyama is working on Dirk Nowitzki’s fadeaway, and it might be over for the NBA

The San Antonio Spurs, ranked 13th in preseason power rankings last year, had not made the playoffs in six seasons. This year, however, emerged victorious, with Victor Wembanyama leading them to the NBA Finals, where they suffered a five-game loss to the New York Knicks. Despite this, the Spurs' season was undoubtedly successful, with Wembanyama cementing his position as arguably the world's best player.

The 23-year-old is projected to win his first MVP in the following season, with the Thunder currently leading the Spurs in initial power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.

Wembanyama's offensive capabilities are not yet fully developed, and to enhance his game, he could benefit from developing a signature mid-range shot. In the playoffs, he took 28% of his field goal attempts from the mid-range, making only 35% of those shots. A leaked video from the Spurs' offseason workouts has alarmed the NBA, showing Wembanyama mastering Dirk Nowitzki's iconic fadeaway.

This newfound skill, if executed consistently, could provide Wembanyama with even more scoring versatility during the playoffs, as he can square his shoulders to the basket for a shot while keeping enough room to avoid being contested.

Wembanyama's offensive arsenal is expected to expand in the coming years, with him working out with Dirk's former trainer Holger Geschwindner and spending time with Hakeem Olajuwon, enhancing his pivot steps, stride length, and balance. While it remains to be seen how successful Wembanyama will be in integrating the Dirk fade into his game, it could be a significant step forward in his offensive game.