The Washington Wizards completed their fourth trade of the 2025 offseason earlier tonight. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Wizards are sending recently acquired Kelly Olynyk to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley, and a 2026 second-round pick.
” 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.”
NBA Trade Grades: Spurs Improve Frontcourt Depth, Wizards Continue Collecting Young Prospects and Draft Assets
Olynyk is headed to his second team this summer, marking his ninth franchise in his career. The 34-year-old averaged 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 44 games with Toronto and New Orleans last season. The Wizards acquired Olynyk from New Orleans along with CJ McCollum on July 6.
Meanwhile, Branham and Wesley are coming off their least productive season in their three-year careers. Branham averaged 5.0 points and 1.1 rebounds while shooting a career-best 45.6% from the field and 40.5% from the 3-point line in 9.1 minutes over 47 appearances. Wesley totaled 3.7 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 boards with shooting splits of 43.5/29.2/62.3 in 12 minutes over 58 games.
Spurs Improve Frontcourt Depth
San Antonio has spent most of the last two years improving its backcourt with the acquisition of Chris Paul, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper. Therefore, leaving Wembanyama to do most of the heavy lifting in the frontcourt with Charles Bassey, Bismack Biyombo, Sandro Mamuskevilli, Jeremy Sochan, and undersized power forward Harrison Barnes.
As a result, the Spurs were the fourth-worst rebounding team and got out-rebounded by 2.5 boards a game. They also ranked in the bottom third of the league in paint points, second chance points, opponents’ paint points, and opponents’ second chance paint points.
Mamuskevilli is now in Toronto, while Biyombo and Bassey are still on the open market. The Spurs recently signed Luke Kornet to back up Wembanyama, whose status for the upcoming season is unclear due to a blood clot. Olynyk figures to be insurance for the Spurs in case Wembanyama is limited this season, though he figures to get time at power forward behind Barnes.
Despite being at the end of his career, Olynyk is still a quality offensive rebounder and scorer. The 6-11 big man does his best work around the basket, scoring in the post or on putbacks and basket cuts. He can space the floor with his shooting and is an excellent passer. Defensively, Olynyk is solid, as he is very active and contests shots, although not necessarily a traditional rim protector.
Trade Grade: B
Olynyk has one year left on his deal, and the Spurs add $3.8 million to their payroll this season. Olynyk figures to be part of coach Mitch Johnson‘s rotation, while Wesley and Branham did not.
With the trade, San Antonio has 12 players under contract for the upcoming season and a little more than $12.5 million before the luxury tax threshold. Thus, the Spurs need to add two or three more players. The Spurs have been linked to Russell Westbrook, according to Sporting News’ Tyler Rourke.
“Already a team with so much guard depth, but ironically enough, De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle all fit into the non-shooting guard archetype, something Westbrook perfected in his prime,” Rourke said. “In this case, Westbrook would be chasing that ring in a mentor role.”
Westbrook doesn’t make much sense for the Spurs. What they need is another frontcourt player and shooters. The Spurs ranked 17th in field goal percentage and 20th in three-point accuracy.
Even with including a 2026 second-round pick, the Spurs still have plenty of draft capital. The Spurs have at least six first-round picks between 2026 and 2032, along with several second-round choices.
Wizards Continue Collecting Young Prospects and Draft Assets
It is not surprising that Washington moved Olynyk, as he wasn’t part of their rebuilding plans. However, adding Branham and Wesley is a bit baffling, though it likely signals that more trades are forthcoming. The Wizards have other tradeable veterans, so it was expected that Marcus Smart, Richaun Holmes, Khris Middleton, CJ McCollum, and perhaps Corey Kispert are all candidates to be moved by the NBA’s February trade deadline.
While Washington has yet to sign a free agent, the Wizards have added McCollum, Dillon Jones, Cam Whitmore, Branham, and Wesley through trades. They also drafted Tre Johnson and Will Riley in June. Now, the Wizards have 17 players on standard contracts, with plenty of flexibility, as they are $12.5 million under the tax threshold.
Both Branham and Wesley are former first-round draft picks. They also saw their roles reduced in each of the last two years with the Spurs. Branham and Wesley could become restricted free agents at the end of the season.
Branham had a solid rookie season, but he isn’t a great shooter. While the 6-4 combo guard can play all three backcourt positions, he doesn’t provide much more than an occasional big game as a scorer. He is a career 33.6% shooter from beyond the arc, and 27 points is his career best, although last season, 17 points was his benchmark.
Wesley has shown more promise as a distributor and defender than a scorer. The 22-year-old has seen relatively regular minutes over the last two seasons, averaging around 13 minutes a game in 119 appearances (out of a possible 162 contests). He is a career 40% shooter and is not a threat from the 3-point line. He also turns the ball over too much.
Trade Grade: C-
It is hard to see either Branham or Wesley making an impact this season for the Wizards. If they don’t trade or waive Holmes and Smart, neither player may make the 15-man roster. The Wizards’ backcourt is pretty crowded.
Washington saved a little cap space this year by trading Olynyk. The Wizards also added to their treasure chest of draft assets, potentially securing five second-round draft picks in 2026. They are selected to have multiple selections in each of the next six drafts and own at least their own first-round pick every year.
Photo Credit © Wendell Cruz, Imagn Images
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