The Celtics view Jazz big man Kelly Olynyk as a possible trade target, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack column.
With a $12.2MM expiring contract, Olynyk is one of several Utah veterans who might be on the move prior to the trade deadline. Boston drafted him in 2013 and he spent his first four NBA seasons with the Celtics, so he’s familiar with the organization.
After being a starter last year, Olynyk has moved into a reserve role in his second season with the Jazz, although he has started seven games because of injures to teammates. He posted 27 points, three rebounds, six assists and four steals in Thursday’s win at Detroit.
Boston’s current salary structure makes an Olynyk trade challenging, notes Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link). Without giving up one of their rotation players, the Celtics would have to have to send out several minimum contracts to match Olynyk’s salary.
Stein also expects the Knicks to have interest in Olynyk after starting center Mitchell Robinson underwent ankle surgery that could sideline him for the rest of the season.
Stein passes along more inside information on potential trades:
- Citing conversations at the G League Winter Showcase, Stein remains skeptical that the Sixers have interest in trading for Bulls guard Zach LaVine. League sources tell Stein that Philadelphia wants to find someone who can contribute on both ends of the court, and the team is reluctant to give up its cap space for next summer to acquire LaVine, who still has three seasons left on his five-year, $215MM deal. The Lakers may be more inclined to consider LaVine after going 2-5 in their last seven games, but Stein notes that L.A. also prizes salary flexibility and tends to seek out players with shorter contracts to team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
- The Bucks and Heat still have “a healthy level of admiration” for P.J. Tucker, league sources tell Stein, but his $11MM salary for this season and a guaranteed $11.5MM for 2024/25 will limit trade interest. Tucker, who was acquired from Philadelphia as part of the James Harden deal, hasn’t played for the Clippers in nearly a month.
- Rival teams expect the Hawks to consider a Dejounte Murray trade before the deadline, Stein adds. Atlanta’s front office may explore deals involving several players as it tries to assemble a better mix of talent around Trae Young. Stein states that the Hawks would be hoping to replenish their draft assets after sending three future first-round picks and a pick swap to San Antonio in the trade to acquire Murray.
- In an interview with Mac McClung, the 2023 Slam Dunk Contest champ says he’s still deciding whether he’ll return to the event to try to defend his title.
Celtics need Olynyx back?? They need more help??? Lakers need to free Christian Wood.
Joe Mazz only want 3pts shooters
Lakers can’t trade away Christian Wood. Coach Ham promised him a substantial role with the team.
That was in the beginning of the season and you see that has changed drastically. C Wood gets minimum playing time currently. So more than likely he will be traded.
Yes and I think some of us caught the lie. Either Darvin Ham didn’t understand who Christian would was or he was lying. The rest of us know who Christian Wood is and know he’s bench fodder. We all talked about it this summer.
Coach did say that he would give C Wood a substantial role but that has drastically changed. Christian Wood is getting minimum time on the floor. So more than likely he will be traded!!
Makes zero sense to trade Dejounte instead of Trae. We’re terrible defensively as a team. All of our guards are terrible defenders except 1, why would we trade him unless we’re looking to tank or something? Also Trae would net us a bigger return in a trade. Also Dejounte costs about half as much $, etc
Sankara : why would hawks trade trae? Should keep him and murray.just add a better sf.maybe mikal bridges. Nets look like will build around cam thomas.with murray and brides,their perimeter defensive will be ok.deandre hunter can play as pf.add some depths.
We would trade Trae bc he’s the main reason we have a terrible team defense. The other 4 guys on the court always have to cover for him. Also like I previously said he would bring back the biggest return. I wouldn’t be opposed to us upgrading from Dre to Siakam but that would further deplete our draft assets & it wouldn’t do anything to help our team defense, which is clearly the reason we’ve struggled so far.
Sankara : 28ppg,11 apg,39% from 3s. Yes,he is bad defender,but he is ur best offensive player too. Its hard to get 2way player now. U just need to add very strong perimeter defender. Thats why mikal should be a great option.or maybe og,thybulle( dont like him).with trae,murray,mikal, ur perimeter will be better. If u trade away trae,ur perimeter defense will be better,but ur offense will be fall.
Would Trae get more? You just mentioned how bad on defense he can be. He is a bigger name and that means more money to the team, but his liability may not fetch as much. He shouldn’t be the #1 on a championship team, he may not even be the 2nd.
Would he make Magic better? Paolo and Franz are the guys but they would need the defense to cover him.
OKC don’t need him SGA has the ball and Jalen Williams is good with the ball. They already don’t have inside size so he makes them smaller.
Pelicans I don’t think that works either.
Nets he would be the 2nd and I don’t think that makes them better.
I enjoy the dunk contest but the announcers TNT crew better not constantly bring up, “Morant and Zion should take this personal and want to compete.” The big names are never going to appear. They are afraid of getting embarrassed and ridiculed on social media.
You can thank LeBron for that one.
Of ALL the countless great things he’s done for the game, he pretty much ruined the dunk contest.
He set the tone for younger big stars, and since then, unfortunately, the vast majority have followed that example.
I don’t think Zion is the competitive type…
Ja has too much ego to risk it being up to the judges to decide…
The NBA needs to make the judging respectable and bring some respect to the contest… Then some of the big names will do it…
Call it the Wade effect…
Kelly Olynyk used to be my favorite Boston Celtic & I was so disappointed when he left. But KO is not an offensive rebounder, Celt’s biggest need, and we may already have the solution on the bench in Neemias Queta and Oshae Brissett. Coach Joe is now giving them both minutes. Yay! Of course I’d like to see KO return but I trust in President Brad Stevens as he’s done an amazing job in building this team. Stevens should be first in line for GM of the year. Go Celtics!