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To understand the screening rules, you first must understand a basic concept that an illegal screen is one in which illegal contact is made that prevents a player from making normal defensive movements. Also not that there is technically no call of "illegal screen" - it is usually a block or a push.
The offensive movements you are describing sound to me like a normal run and jump press break strategy. Big players move up court at angles that free up smaller players. The big players get in the path of the defensive trappers causing them to change directions to avoid the contact, delaying and preventing a trap.
Now for the screening rules. These (generally) apply to offensive players placing themselves in the path of a defender. This may be either an anticipated path (the defender isn't yet moving) or an actual path (A1 is cutting guraded by B1, A2 steps into B1's path). As soon as the offense begins cutting into a player's path, the onus is on the offense (screener) to get there legally. Time and distance applies to blind screens on a moving player - you have to allow them a step or two to avoid the screen. If the player is stationary, you are supposed to give one step (rarely called IMO).
The most frequent illegal screens occur when an offensive player arrives late (a blocking foul), or when an offensive player moves through a defensive player. Remember the phrase in the rules you cite that says "without causing contact." A screen can result in contact. When the rules say "causing contact," they really mean that contact occurs and is the result of an illegal action by an offensive player (like arriving late or pushing through a player). If a player arrives legally, is in position, and contact results, the offensive player did not cause the contact by the screening action.
If players are moving normally, the defense will normally have to avoid these players. The rule on screens does not generally apply to players making normal offensive movements, including changing directions, as long as the change in direction allows the defense time to react. If these players are changing directions or suddenly stopping at the last minute and bumping defenders off line, it should be an illegal screen because the offense caused the contact. If the players take a line upcourt that obstructs where a defender can move, that is a normal offensive movement and the defense must adjust.
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