Spurs sign-and-trade Allen to Wizards for Bryant, ship Cazalon to Portland.

Thomas Bryant is a rim-running stretch five.

The trade winds picked up a head of steam, with the Spurs front office deftly solving roster predicaments and future financial issues.

The Washington Wizards have acquired budding star center, Jarrett Allen, in exchange for Thomas Bryant. The Portland Trail Blazers got involved to help San Antonio's roster issues, nabbing promising French point guard prospect, Malcolm Cazalon, who spent most of his time this season with the Austin Spurs of the G-League, averaging 2.8ppg and 1.5apg for San Antonio & 17ppg, 5.2apg for Austin. A swap of draft picks will see the Spurs give Portland a 2023 2nd round pick and acquire Washington's 2024 2nd round pick, with Washington receiving Portland's 2024 2nd round pick.

To make the trade desirable for the Wizards, the Spurs locked up Allen to a 3-YR, 53m pact, securing three years after this season for Washington to see him further develop into a star impact player alongside Bradley Beal. Allen had played so well this far into the season that the financial figures didn't make sense in the long run for the Spurs to have a backup center on nearly a 20-million deal. Without an Andre Drummond to worry about, the Wizards are able to improve their interior defense, as Allen has averaged 2.2 blocks per game, hoisting down 9.4 rebounds. In two less minutes of action this season, Allen had equaled his stat-line from last season, further showing that he's ready to make the next leap with more opportunity, a starting position he'd never get with Drummond as part of San Antonio's future plans.

Jarrett Allen improved his stock too much.

Compared to Thomas Bryant, the Wizards improve their defense while losing some of Bryant's scoring talent from long range, which was attractive for the Spurs to contrast against Drummond's bruiser, defense-first mentality on the court. San Antonio's excellent defensive training staff will certainly aim to improve Bryant's effectiveness on defense, but they already like what they see on the scoring side. Bryant also has one year left on a 3-YR deal of his own with Washington, so the Spurs don't have to worry about losing him this summer, which was likely to have transpired with Allen.

In a corresponding move, the Spurs no longer have roster issues and are able to sign third-string (and capable backup with Drummon out) center, Johnathan Willliams, for the rest of the season as his two-way NBA games limit had expired. San Antonio also gets to keep onto Wes Iwundu, who they would've most likely reluctantly cut to accommodate Williams to fit on the roster, and continue his development. Bryant also fits the overall timeline better, not seeming to bump against Drummond for playing time. With his shooting ability, it's possible the Spurs may run him at the power forward spot also.