The Utah Jazz have moved big man Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji to the Toronto Raptors ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, according to the most recent NBA news. Kira Lewis, Otto Porter, and a 2024 first-round draft pick are what the Jazz will get in exchange.
In September 2022, Utah obtained Olynyk from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Saben Lee.
According to Michael Scotto, the big guy, who was born in Canada, was linked to “various teams across the league” and was a sought-after trade candidate during the season.
Olynyk is averaging 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game in his second season with the Jazz. Olynyk is also hitting 42.9% from three-point range and 56.2% from the field. For the 32-year-old, they are both bests in his career.
Olynyk has started just eight of the fifty games he has played this season, coming off the bench the majority of the time. In addition, Olynyk’s three-year deal is coming to an end this year. The Jazz would be far better off trading a highly sought-after big man than letting him depart in free agency.
In addition, Olynyk’s birthday is April 33. Since the Jazz are a youthful squad, Olynyk is out of step with them. This is particularly true given that Utah, with a 26-26 record as of right now, holds the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference. It is realistic to conclude that the Jazz, in a competitive Western Conference, are not the instant favorites to win the championship, even though they are a lock for a play-in position.
Lastly, the Jazz already have a solid frontcourt of Lauri Markkanen, John Collins and Walker Kessler. With Olynyk, this was on the verge of becoming a logjam. With the other three all being under 30, it was clear Olynyk was the odd man out.
Olynyk is a productive scorer, particularly when shooting from outside. Olynyk is an underappreciated passer and playmaker for a player who is almost seven feet tall. Because of his offensive versatility, Olynyk can be an asset to almost any NBA team. Conversely, though, Olynyk’s defense isn’t very noteworthy. His defense is actually superior on the perimeter than it is in the paint, despite his size. Olynyk’s playstyle is more appropriate on the perimeter, and he is not a particularly aggressive rebounder. Nevertheless, Olynyk has a strong NBA career and is a very skilled player who joined the league in 2013.
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