The Spurs traded Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley, and a second-round choose for Kelly Olynyk. It’s a minor transfer within the grand scheme of issues, but it surely continued the sample of sensible transactions and choices from the entrance workplace.
Let’s check out all of the elements through which this commerce is useful for San Antonio.
The Spurs cleared a logjam with out including long-term wage
It was just a little curious to see the Spurs choose up the fourth-year possibility on each Wesley’s and Branham’s contracts final October, contemplating neither might get constant rotation minutes of their first two years. Nonetheless, rookie offers are low-cost and on the time, the 2 guards supplied reasonably priced depth and at the least some untapped potential that could possibly be intriguing to discover within the 2025/26 season, when Chris Paul and Tre Jones have been anticipated to enter free company and doubtlessly go away. As soon as San Antonio traded for De’Aaron Fox and drafted Dylan Harper to affix Stephon Citadel and Devin Vassell within the backcourt, issues modified. There have been no minutes for the 2 younger guards going into the season.
Shifting them made quite a lot of sense, and since they didn’t make a lot and have been on the final yr of their contracts, it wasn’t anticipated to be all that tough. The one problem was to take action with out taking long-term wage again. Expiring offers aren’t as priceless as they was — though that would change quickly, with the brand new CBA restrictions — however they are often helpful trades, particularly with rebuilding groups. Holding a substantial quantity of expiring cash was possible value a second-rounder by itself to verify there’s sufficient ballast to make a deal occur with a commerce companion that’s making an attempt to clear its books, or to have the ability to trim wage going into subsequent offseason.
Olynyk can play, matches nicely, and fills a place of want
Olynyk is extra than simply an expiring contract. The veteran huge man can nonetheless play. He’s a profession 37 shooter from exterior who has hit over 40 % up to now two years in an admittedly low quantity of makes an attempt. He may move, posting elite help percentages for an enormous all through his profession when given the prospect to be a playmaker. He doesn’t have vertical pop, however he’s a artful inside finisher who has a surprisingly first rate offensive rebound proportion for a man who spends a lot time within the perimeter. Offensively, he’s what the Spurs hoped Zach Collins could possibly be and could possibly be an incredible companion for Jeremy Sochan, as he would permit the younger ahead to function inside, like Wembanyama does.
The issues come on the defensive finish, the place Olynyk doesn’t provide rim safety or switchability. The excellent news is that San Antonio ought to solely ask him to be the one huge man on the ground for brief stretches, through which his offense ought to make up for his limitations on the opposite finish. With Wembanyama and Luke Kornet in tow, Olynyk is a change of tempo possibility as a sole huge as a substitute of the primary backup, and his vary and really feel for the sport ought to permit him to play subsequent to a middle on huge lineups. He’s not a difference-maker, however he provides the Spurs the flexibility to throw out completely different appears towards sure matchups, in addition to have an enormous physique to sop up minutes in case of an harm.
The additional roster spot provides the Spurs priceless flexibility
Had the Spurs stored Branham and Wesley, they might be sitting on 13 assured contracts, with a necessity for a 3rd huge man. The commerce has trimmed their commitments to 12 assured contracts and has given them a full rotation, which additionally affords them flexibility in terms of the open roster spots.
The Spurs might merely add somebody for the minimal, carry the minimal 13 gamers into the season, and be able to both tackle extra gamers than they ship out in a commerce or use the roughly $5 million left on their mid-level exception to soak up contracts from groups determined to chop some wage whereas getting an asset again. They may additionally use each the mid-level and bi-annual exceptions so as to add two extra high quality gamers and nonetheless have a spot open. They’ll gamble on some younger guys or add veterans as insurance coverage whereas nonetheless having room to maneuver.
It’s a minor factor, however balancing the roster on this approach whereas opening a spot is wise administration, which is turning into a staple of the Brian Wright-led entrance workplace.
