Centers and bigs seem to be en vogue once again in the NBA. The Oklahoma City Thunder started 7-foot Isaiah Hartenstein and 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren together, and the pair helped lead them to a title. While they went away from starting that pair for the first three games of the NBA Finals, OKC went back to it in Game 4.
There was a brief while where the center position didn’t seem to be cool anymore. Now, teams this offseason have been doing their best to stack the position. The latest example is the San Antonio Spurs, who completed a trade for a center on Tuesday.
Spurs Latest Example Of Team Loading Up On Centers
Spurs Add To Their Center Depth Chart
As first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, the Spurs have acquired center Kelly Olynyk in a deal with the Washington Wizards. In exchange, San Antonio sent guards Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley as well as a 2026 second round pick to the Wizards.
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
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Olynyk, a 12-year veteran who is 34 years old, split his time last season with the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans. In 44 outings, the 6-foot-11 center posted averages of 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. The stretch big shot 50.0% from the field, 41.8% from beyond the arc, and 76.9% from the free-throw line.
This wasn’t the first time this offseason that San Antonio added a center. They also signed 7-foot-2 Luke Kornet to a four-year, $40.7 million deal in free agency. Turning 30 on July 15, Kornet spent the last three full seasons with the Boston Celtics.
Of course, the Spurs also have their face of the franchise in 7-foot-3 center Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio now has three capable centers, all of which will likely be in their rotation. There will likely be times that two of the three share the court together.
Other Teams Have Strengthened Their Big Man Depth Chart
The Spurs aren’t the only team that have made sure to add depth to the center position this offseason. There are a few other notable examples.
The Houston Rockets used centers Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams together last season, particularly in their playoff matchup against the Golden State Warriors to much success. After re-signing Adams, they weren’t done. Houston brought back their longtime former starting center, Clint Capela, on a three-year deal worth $21 million.
The Phoenix Suns doubled down at center during the NBA Draft. They selected Khaman Maluach out of Duke with the 10th overall pick. Phoenix also made a deal with the Charlotte Hornets during the draft to acquire center Mark Williams. They currently still roster their starting center to end last season in Nick Richards.
The Portland Trail Blazers took 7-foot-2 center Donovan Clingan seventh overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. In this year’s draft, Portland drafted Yang Hansen with the 16th pick. He is a 7-foot-1 center. While they bought out Deandre Ayton, they still have Robert Williams III on their team.
The New Orleans Pelicans made a (controversial) trade to move up to 13th in June’s draft. They made the selection of Derik Queen, a 6-foot-10 center. That’s one year after 6-foot-11 center Yves Missi was drafted, and he was named to the All-Rookie Second Team.
After a time when big men didn’t seem to be a priority, this offseason is showing that there are teams making sure to load up at center.
Photo credit: © Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
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