After a quiet week following the free agency signing of Luke Kornet, the Spurs have shored up their big man depth even more via trade, acquiring big man Kelly Olynyk from the Washington Wizards for Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley and a 2026 second round pick. The pick will be the least favorable of the Mavs, 76ers and Thunder, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Washington Wizards are trading Kelly Olynyk to the San Antonio Spurs for Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley and a 2026 second-round pick (least favorable of Dallas, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City), sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/JWiOF2nzq2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 8, 2025
Olynyk is a respected journeyman who has traveled all over the league since being drafted by the Mavs in 2013. He most recently played for the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans last season, where he averaged a combined 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 50% shooting, including a career-best 41.8% from three on 1.8 attempts per game. He was then traded to Washington this offseason in the C.J. McCollum trade. He has always been considered a hard-nosed defender, and his ability to stretch the floor will be a huge asset as he could play next to both Victor Wembanyama and Kornet. Olynyk has one year, $13 million left on his contract.
Branham and Wesley were both drafted by the Spurs in 2022, along with Jeremy Sochan, but they struggled to find permanent roles amidst a deep guard rotation last season that got even deeper with the additions of De’Aaron Fox during the season and Dylan Harper in the draft. Neither figured to be a part of the Spurs’ future plans, and while it is always sad to see any Spurs go, Olynyk is a steal of a deal for two players who were likely going to be gone next summer anyways.
With the trade, the Spurs still have three roster spots left (plus a two-way), which they could use to add more guard depth back, as well as more shooting. We’ll have more on what this means for the Spurs soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, welcome to San Antonio, Kelly!