Spurs make trade for former NBA Finals piece

Victor Wembanyama is no longer the only floor-spacing big on the San Antonio Spurs roster.

The Spurs have acquired veteran center Kelly Olynyk in a trade with the Washington Wizards, Shams Charania of ESPN reported Tuesday. San Antonio is sending guards Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley plus a future second-round pick to the Wizards in exchange for Olynyk.

Olynyk, 34, was a first-round pick back in 2013 (No. 13 overall) and has been in the league for 12 seasons now. A career 37.1 percent three-point shooter, Olynyk is known for his long-range ability as well as for his craftiness off the dribble (albeit often awkward-looking at that).

Having previously made it to the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat in 2020, Olynyk averaged 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 20.3 minutes per game between the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans. He has also played for the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, and Utah Jazz at other points in his pro career.

Earlier this offseason, the Pelicans sent Olynyk to the Wizards as part of the Jordan Poole-CJ McCollum swap. Now Olynyk is on the move again in exchange for Branham and Wesley, two 22-year-old players who might benefit from the move to a developmental team in the Wizards, plus a pick.

The Spurs already signed another notable former Celtics big man in free agency earlier this month. Now Olynyk is joining the mix in San Antonio too as a sizable $13.4 million expiring contract (at worst) and potentially a viable frontcourt scoring partner for Wembanyama (at best).