Spurs fend off Utah to best rival Jazz a third time, 98-105.

At least there's respect between coaches, Synder & Popovich.

The Jazz stayed close, as Rudy Gobert (26 points, 23 rebounds) terrorized a rusty Spurs team--whose stars came back to the hardwood, notably post-injury Andre Drummond--but fell short as the Spurs defense forced multiple shot-clock violations due to fierce blocks.

Fred VanVleet (10 points, 7 assists) delightfully poked the ball loose, Drummond (16 rebounds, 3 blocks) dished it back to him, and he splashed in the 3PTer. Brandon Ingram (27 points) had a cold first half, but powered the Spurs to a win hitting 3-of-5 from downtown, excelling on two-man play in the fast break with Dejounte Murray (19 points, 7 assists). Having led the Spurs past the Pistons last game with 23 points, Kent Bazemore had another solid outing of 19 points, hitting three long shots.

The Rest: P.J. Tucker scored six points, getting a clutch steal down the stretch as the Spurs led by as much as fourteen. Thomas Bryant made his Spurs debut, grabbing six boards and swishing a corner 3PT shot in the 4th Quarter. Johnathan Williams caught a slick pass from Rajon Rondo, burying the elbow jumper. For Utah, Donovan Mitchell got the Jazz within striking distance in the 4th Quarter, scoring 20 points. Mike Conley dished 11 assists and scored eleven. Joe Ingles, however, went 0-4 and 2-7 overall. Utah only hit on three tries from 3PT distance, compared to 13 by the Spurs.

Trades Recap: Lakers land Jrue Holiday, Charlotte deals Batum, Brooklyn ships Warren.

As the Lakers sat firmly in second place of the western conference (with the Clippers and the next three teams) only two-to-three games behind them, push came to shove and GM Rob Pelinka pulled off another stunning deal, trading for Jrue Holiday (and his expiring 26m contract) in a record-breaking eighteen-player blockbuster arrangement.

On a 10-game losing streak (even after acquiring Zach LaVine), the Orlando Magic parted ways with Nikola Vucevic and thereby committed to Mo Bamba's development as the new starting center. The Pelicans were happy to receive Vucevic's scoring ability to pair alongside Zion Williamson and help spread the floor better than with Derrick Favors, who slides back to a backup center/power forward role. The Pelicans supplemented Orlando's loss with prospect center Jaxson Hayes (#8 pick, 2019) and rookie point guard Killian Hayes (#13 overall, 2020) to make up for losing DJ Augustin to New Orleans.

The Lakers motivation was addition by subtraction, nabbing Jae Crowder's perimeter defense and Wilson Chandler, in exchange for Danny Green joining the Magic, choosing to hang onto Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (who's having a better year). They had to deal JaVale McGee to Orlando, also, but have subsequently signed free agent (and ex-Spur) Joakim Noah, rival of LeBron James for years in the eastern conference, now turned teammate to back up Marc Gasol.

The Rest: Quinn Cook joins Orlando, prospect point guards James Drew & Ayo Dosunmu, center rookie N'Faly Dante go to the South Bay Lakers, Jimma Gatwech heads to N'awlins, Patty Mills takes his mentorship role to Orlando where he can help Markelle Fultz (and Hayes) improve their game. Both Green and Mills also boost Orlando's scoring problem, despite having LaVine and DeRozan. Time will tell if the Magic can figure their way back up in the standings, despite a bevy of roster moves over the summer and this season. The Pelicans receive Talen Horton-Tucker, Matthew Dellavedova (a reunion with LeBron James that didn't quite pan out) & Tre Jones.

After dealing Terry Rozier away to Cleveland, the Hornets are nearly back to zero financially after finally finding a new home for Nicolas Batum to the Memphis Grizzlies with Miles Bridges in exchange for Kyle Anderson & Jonas Valanciunas. Memphis will now be able to play Paul Millsap alongside Jaren Jackson, Jr in the starting lineup. The Grizzlies also get a top 3 protected 2023 draft pick. John Wall joined the Pistons to help mentor Cole Anthony (leading ROY candidate), Blake Griffin joined the Knicks with Julius Randle joining the Wizards for Derrick Rose to Detroit.

In other news, the struggling Brooklyn Nets are now able to slot Kevin Durant into the PF spot as T.J. Warren (ex-Spur) was dealt to the improved Minnesota Timberwolves to pair with KAT in the frontcourt. Marco Belinelli joins the T'Wolves, as Josh Okogie joins Brooklyn. The Pelicans made more waves by dealing Josh Hart to the Nuggets for Gary Harris, losing out on JJ Redick, who'll improve Denver's playoff chances, gaining two more draft picks for the Duke sniper.

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.