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5 recently traded players that are exceeding expectations

By Orestis Rantis

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against Raul Neto #19 of the Washington Wizards in the first half of a game at Amalie Arena on April 05, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles against Raul Neto #19 of the Washington Wizards in the first half of a game at Amalie Arena on April 05, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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NBA Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images /

Pleasant surprise No. 3: Kelly Olynyk

After his move to the Houston Rockets as part of the deal that flew Victor Oladipo to the Miami Heat, many people expected a rise in Kelly Olynyk’s productivity. However, he’s certainly exceeded expectations so far.

Kelly “Larry” Olynyk has been a solid rotational member of a few contenders during his 8-year NBA career, though was never quite handed the chances he needed to progress and take that next step in his career.

Now on the atrociously bad Rockets, Olynyk has been seeing starter minutes and his numbers definitely make a strong case for a pay-rise, as his contract is due to expire in the summer. As unclear as it is that the Rockets are planning to keep him, Kelly is planning on putting on a show to raise his stock as much as possible.

Let’s talk numbers, though. In his opening nine games in Houston, Olynyk has been averaging 17.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, statistics that are exceeding his previous career-highs by a landslide.

Yes, you could make the case that this is yet another “mediocre player on a bad team” type of scenario, such as Jerami Grant’s astronomical numbers this season, but Kelly Olynyk definitely deserves at least a mention here.

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