Stirring Jazz Trade Proposal Sends Kelly Olynyk to Wounded Grizzlies
One of the more prominent teams placed into trade discussions and rumors across the last year has been the Utah Jazz. Piled up with many valuable assets and a few coveted players, it’s easy to see how any potential deal could come through Salt Lake City.
With a few expiring contracts on the books going into next summer, a rebuilding team like the Jazz could ultimately opt to ship off one or two of these guys to claim some value before departing in free agency. Considering the type of track history Danny Ainge has when it comes to dealing, it might actually be the most likely outcome.
While a trade for the Jazz might not be imminent, there’s always room for some fun speculation. A potential deal like this one proves to be an intriguing proposal for Ainge to act on if it comes across his desk:
Utah Jazz receive: Brandon Clarke, 2026 second-round pick (via LAC)
Memphis Grizzlies receive: Kelly Olynyk
To start the 2023-24 NBA season, the Memphis Grizzlies have gotten off to a rocky start without their star point guard Ja Morant. They’ve put together a record of 3-13, racking up countless injuries in the process. Impactful rotational guys like Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, and Xavier Tillman are all banged up for the next few weeks, combined with other players such as Brandon Clarke and Steven Adams set to miss most, if not all of their season.
If Memphis wants to get their season back on track once Morant returns to the lineup, things have to change fast. This is where the Jazz come in.
It was announced in March that Clarke would be set to miss an indefinite amount of time with an Achilles tear. He’s been a solid piece for the Grizzlies across the past four seasons, averaging 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on an impressive 60.4% shooting from the field. He plays a nice role on the floor for Memphis, but can’t help contribute to this season’s cause while he remains in recovery.
However, a player like Kelly Olynyk can slide in and provide some relief. Through 17 games of the 2023-24 season, he’s averaged 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on some positive shooting splits (57.0/41.9/87.9). That combination of shooting and size is exactly what Memphis could utilize in this time of need.
As it stands, the Grizzlies are ranked dead last in the NBA for field goal (42.2%) and three-point percentage (32.7). Combine this with the loss of a presence like Adams in the paint, and the addition of a player like Olynyk could be worthwhile.
At the very least, the Grizzlies could effectively shed around $12 million in cap room in the offseason due to Olynyk’s expiring deal. For a smaller market like Memphis looking to return to a contending status, that type of monetary freedom is desirable.
In return, the Jazz would receive a versatile 27-year-old forward coming off a brutal injury, combined with a future second-round pick. Clarke is also under contractual control until the summer of 2027, adding additional value to the deal for Utah.
Clarke may not suit up for any team this season, considering the type of rehab an Achilles tear usually requires, but the Jazz have a timeline that fits that. A resting Clarke on the roster opens the window for younger talent like Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh to slide into those minutes. For a young team like Utah, this is almost the ideal scenario.
With Morant’s potential return pending, hope is not completely washed for this Grizzlies team. In the same breath, though, something must change to see a return to the production we saw last season. It’s ultimately unknown whether a deal like this would actually take place, but on the surface, this one seems like it’s pretty beneficial for both parties.
Follow Inside The Jazz on Facebook and X.
Subscribe on YouTube for breaking Jazz news videos and live-stream!
