San Antonio Spurs Trade Malaki Branham to Washington Wizards After Three Seasons in Bold Move Aimed at Roster Reconfiguration and Growth

In a move that signals a strategic shift for both franchises involved, the San Antonio Spurs have officially traded third-year guard Malaki Branham to the Washington Wizards. The trade, confirmed by both teams late Wednesday evening, brings an end to Branham’s time in San Antonio, where the Ohio State product spent his first three NBA seasons. The deal, which is part of the Spurs’ evolving vision to restructure their young roster around generational center Victor Wembanyama, gives Washington an intriguing scorer still brimming with untapped potential.

According to league sources, the Spurs will receive a future second-round draft pick and veteran wing Delon Wright in return, although the deal is reportedly more about roster flexibility and development timelines than immediate production. For the Wizards, the acquisition of Branham fits perfectly into their ongoing youth movement, as they continue rebuilding with an eye on long-term sustainability.

Branham, 21, was drafted by the Spurs with the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He entered the league with a reputation as a smooth mid-range scorer and a versatile guard capable of playing both backcourt positions. Over three seasons in San Antonio, Branham showed flashes of that scoring promise but struggled with consistency, particularly on the defensive end. In 2024-25, he averaged 9.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game in 21.5 minutes, shooting 44% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc.

While his numbers didn’t jump off the page, Branham was valued internally by the Spurs for his work ethic and maturity, traits that initially made him a strong developmental prospect in the Gregg Popovich system. However, the emergence of other young guards in San Antonio’s pipeline—most notably rookie Stephon Castle and second-year player Blake Wesley—complicated Branham’s role in the rotation. By the end of last season, he was often the odd man out in tight game situations, with the coaching staff leaning into players with stronger defensive profiles.

For San Antonio, the trade provides some much-needed breathing room in a crowded guard rotation and opens the door for further exploration of lineups that better complement Wembanyama’s generational skillset. Sources close to the team indicate that the Spurs are prioritizing size, versatility, and defensive intensity on the perimeter to maximize the French phenom’s impact on both ends of the court.

General Manager Brian Wright addressed the trade in a brief statement: “We want to thank Malaki for his professionalism and dedication to the Spurs over the past three seasons. He’s a talented player with a bright future, and we’re excited to see what he can accomplish in Washington.”

Wizards GM Will Dawkins echoed that sentiment from the other side of the trade: “Malaki is exactly the kind of player we’re looking to add—young, skilled, and driven. He has the ability to be a key piece of our future and fits our vision for the direction this team is heading.”

Branham’s arrival in Washington injects a much-needed scoring punch into a roster still reeling from the departure of long-time centerpiece Bradley Beal last summer. The Wizards, who finished with one of the league’s worst records in 2024-25, are clearly building through youth, with Branham joining a core that includes Bilal Coulibaly, rookie Ja’Kobe Walter, and Jordan Poole. While Poole is viewed more as a short-term experiment, Branham may get the extended runway he lacked in San Antonio.

The Wizards’ coaching staff is reportedly excited about Branham’s ability to create offense in the halfcourt and are hopeful that a change in scenery—along with a greater usage rate—could unlock the scoring instincts that made him a breakout star at Ohio State. His perimeter shot has been inconsistent at times, but the underlying mechanics remain solid. Washington’s front office believes that with the right development and a more defined role, Branham could become a reliable 15–18 point-per-game scorer.

For Branham, the move to Washington represents a clean slate and perhaps a more forgiving environment for a young player to grow. In a statement shared on his social media, he expressed gratitude to the Spurs organization and excitement about his next chapter: “San Antonio will always be special to me. From day one, I learned what it means to be a pro. I appreciate Coach Pop, my teammates, and the fans who supported me. I’m ready to take this next step in Washington and give everything I’ve got to the Wizards.”

This trade also highlights the Spurs’ broader roster construction strategy under Popovich and Wright. With Wembanyama already proving he is ahead of schedule in his development, the Spurs are carefully curating a supporting cast that can thrive alongside him. The team’s offseason has already been active, with moves suggesting that San Antonio is transitioning out of a pure rebuild and into a phase focused on competitiveness and cohesion.

Branham’s trade is the latest signal that San Antonio is willing to make difficult decisions in pursuit of that goal. Though they continue to preach patience, there is a growing internal belief that Wembanyama’s presence is a tide that raises all boats—and one that may require the Spurs to accelerate their competitive timeline sooner than expected. Roster clarity is a necessary component of that evolution, and moving off Branham, while not a seismic shift, is a step toward refining the team’s identity.

Meanwhile, the Wizards’ acquisition of Branham reflects the benefits of buying low on a talented young player whose development may have plateaued under different circumstances. For a rebuilding team like Washington, the risk is minimal and the upside potentially significant. If Branham blossoms in a higher-usage role, he could be one of the steals of the offseason. If not, the Wizards still maintain cap flexibility and haven’t given up a core asset in the trade.

It’s also worth noting that Delon Wright, who heads to San Antonio in the deal, is likely more valuable as a veteran locker room presence than as an on-court contributor. Wright, 32, played a reserve role for the Wizards last season and could serve as a mentor for San Antonio’s younger guards or even be rerouted to a contender before the trade deadline. His expiring contract also aids San Antonio’s cap structure heading into future free agency periods.

The deal is emblematic of the differing trajectories and priorities between the two franchises. San Antonio is on the verge of a new era headlined by Wembanyama, already viewed as a future MVP candidate. They are trying to build around him with intention, ensuring that every piece fits the vision of a modern, defensively sound, and offensively unselfish unit. Washington, meanwhile, is still early in its rebuild but showing signs of smarter asset accumulation and clearer developmental pathways under its new front office.

Malaki Branham might not have reached the level of stardom that some had projected coming out of college, but he is still just 21 years old, with plenty of time to evolve. With more minutes, confidence, and system stability, he could still become a valuable contributor on a playoff team—or even something more. The Wizards are betting on that upside. The Spurs, meanwhile, are trusting their developmental pipeline and the vision they’ve crafted around their once-in-a-generation centerpiece.

As with any trade involving a young player, only time will tell which side got the better end. But for now, both franchises believe they are closer to their long-term goals than they were the day before. Branham’s next chapter begins in the nation’s capital, and his journey—while no longer tied to the Alamo City—still has plenty of story left to write.