Kelly Olynyk’s Inevitable Jazz Departure Could Happen Extremely Soon

The newest addition of John Collins to the Utah Jazz brings up a variety of questions to be answered in terms of how the front office will approach the next steps in the team-building process. The future of Kelly Olynyk on the roster is one of those questions Utah will need to cook up an answer for very soon.

June 28th being the deadline for the Jazz to guarantee $3 million to Olynyk next season, a cost-saving move could be the unavoidable fate of KO’s stay with Utah. Olynyk was a key part in the Jazz’s starting lineup for 68 games this past season, averaging respected numbers of 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.

Per Spotrac: Kelly Olynyk has $3 million of an incoming $12.2 million guaranteed that becomes fully guaranteed tomorrow.

Could be an under-the-radar addition for someone really soon...... pic.twitter.com/bltuNJa32B
— Bryan Fonseca 🇵🇷 (@BryanFonsecaNY) June 27, 2023

Considering recent offseason additions of John Collins and Taylor Hendricks along with Damian Jones accepting his player option, opportunity in Jazz’s frontcourt is becoming increasingly slim. Also, with continued heavy emphasis on the further development of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, it’s hard to find a great fit for Olynyk in Utah for the 2023-24 season.

Lacking a clear spot in the rotation for next season at the moment, another team willing to take on Olynyk might need to make that move very soon due to his contract implications. Fortunately for the Jazz, his $12 million expiring contract is a malleable deal that can work into several trades around the league. It’s an endless opportunity for an executive like Danny Ainge.

A contending team needy of size and shooting could take on Olynyk for little risk with his contract set to end next summer. While the return the Jazz would get for Kelly is challenging to predict at the moment, receiving either a developing prospect or draft pick in return could be a reasonable ask for the soon-to-be 11-year vet.

Still, Kelly returning to the Jazz to start next year isn’t completely out of the cards yet. His efficiency and reliability in Will Hardy’s rotation last season alone could net him a spot as a reserve big in what would be a crowded frontcourt. Though, with Collins and Hendricks now having a place in the team’s plans for next season, paying eight figures for a both temporary and unnecessary roster piece like Olynyk isn’t the ideal scenario for the Jazz.

Seeing how the front office approaches KO’s future with the team during the next 24-48 hours will be an intriguing storyline for Jazz fans to watch.

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