X

NBA Trade Rumors: Kelly Olynyk Eyed by Warriors, Heat; Jazz Want 1st-Round Draft Pick

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVFebruary 8, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 06: Kelly Olynyk #41 of the Utah Jazz looks to throw a pass during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Delta Center on February 06, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

The Utah Jazz are holding onto the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament standings, but they may look to get something in return for Kelly Olynyk before he hits free agency during the upcoming offseason.

Matt Moore of Action Network reported the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors are interested in Olynyk and noted the Jazz believe they can get a first-round or early second-round draft pick in return.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski also listed the Warriors as an interested suitor for Olynyk.

Golden State is one game behind the Jazz for that No. 10 seed but surely has aspirations that extend beyond the play-in tournament. Adding a big man like Olynyk, who can create matchup problems because of his ability to stretch the floor, would help the Warriors position themselves for a deeper run.

The 32-year-old has been something of a journeyman throughout his career with stops on the Boston Celtics, Heat, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons and Jazz. Miami is familiar with what he can do seeing how he helped lead it to the 2020 NBA Finals as a solid role player off the bench.

Olynyk is averaging 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 56.2 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from deep this season.

That shooting stands out and would help him take advantage of the spacing created by the defensive attention Stephen Curry draws on the Warriors or Jimmy Butler draws on the Heat. But he would also be a loss for a Utah team attempting to at least make the play-in tournament this season.