The San Antonio Spurs have acquired Kelly Olynyk from the Washington Wizards in change for Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley and a 2026 second-round decide. The decide would be the least favorable among the many Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
ESPN’s Shams Charania was first to report.
Olynyk gives the Spurs with a stable third-string veteran large man choice. He can nonetheless produce offensive worth together with his capacity to house the ground and go, however his protection has tailed additional the previous couple of years.
He spent final season with each the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans.
Luke Kornet was signed by the Spurs as a free agent and can function the first backup large.
For the Wizards, it’s one other transfer that takes a flier on younger gamers who haven’t acquired a lot alternative. Cam Whitmore was just lately acquired in a commerce from the Houston Rockets and will see a spike in enjoying time.
Each Branham and Wesley are simply 22 years previous.
Spurs Shore Up Entrance Courtroom With Olynyk Addition
Trying previous the explanations already listed above, Olynyk suits the invoice of getting one other physique and thoughts who is aware of what it takes to make the postseason. The Canadian has performed in significant playoff video games and Olympic video games, together with towards Victor Wembanyama final summer time. That can serve a younger crew on the rise properly.
The gamers San Antonio will look towards for veteran management now function De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes and Olynyk. Chris Paul’s departure definitely leaves a gap in that regard. Past the gamers, former head coach Gregg Popovich shifting from the sidelines to the entrance workplace can be a loss.
Trying on the Spurs’ rotation, it’s not stuffed with 3-point capturing. That could be a potential weak point Olynyk can assist tackle. In fact, he can solely assist mitigate it to the extent his doubtless restricted enjoying time will permit.
The 34-year-old additionally gives a little bit of optionality to the Spurs as he might determine in two-big lineups alongside Wembanyama and complement the Frenchman’s skill-set fairly properly.
San Antonio provides up gamers who received’t issue into the rotation. It features a participant who could be a significant contributor even with out enjoying time.
Grade: B
Wizards Have Clearer Sense Of Route
Dare I say the Wizards are beginning to provide some intrigue? For years, this has been a rudderless franchise with younger gamers who provide scant upside.
Trying on the roster now, Tre Johnson and Alex Sarr may very well be professional constructing blocks, and there are younger gamers who a minimum of provide professional curiosity.
Will Riley is one other participant picked within the first spherical of this 12 months’s Draft. Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George will look to construct off stable rookie campaigns. Whitmore, as talked about beforehand, might thrive in a brand new atmosphere with constant enjoying time.
Bilal Coulibaly provided some thrills however had his 2024-25 season derailed by damage. Branham and Wesley have been the twentieth and twenty fifth picks within the 2022 NBA Draft, respectively.
The Wizards at present have sufficient veterans in Khris Middleton, Marcus Sensible and CJ McCollum. Olynyk would have been surplus. They’ve made a sensible transfer dealing him away for items who probably provide some long-term potential.
Grade: B+
