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NBA Trades: 5 under-the-radar trade targets

By Hunter Parsons

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Golden 1 Center on November 19, 2021 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Golden 1 Center on November 19, 2021 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets, Kevin Porter Jr., Fantasy Basketball Risers
Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz; Kevin Porter Jr., Houston Rockets – Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA: F-C Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz

The beginning of the Will Hardy era in Salt Lake has produced some of the purest basketball we’ve seen in years through elite three-point shooting, constant ball movement, and fast pace. Nonetheless, despite the team’s exciting start to the season, it’s still most likely that the Utah Jazz become huge sellers at the trade deadline. While this may certainly include veterans like Mike Conley, Malik Beasley, and even Jordan Clarkson (despite the extension rumors), one of the often most under-looked players in the league, now a member of the Jazz, is Kelly Olynyk.

Over a quarter of the way into the season, Olynyk has maintained the hot shooting hand that helped the Jazz jump out to a blistering 10-3 start. The former 13th overall pick is currently boasting career-high shooting percentages including 43.0% from three. Among big men who have shot at least 100 3PA this season, Olynyk ranks in the top 6 in 3P%, C&S 3P%, TS%, and eFG%. The only other player to do so this season? Five-time NBA All-Star Al Horford.

The best news for possible trade suitors is that Olynyk’s contract is extremely favorable. Olynyk’s 2022-23 salary sits at $12.8 million fully guaranteed. While he isn’t the only player on this list not in the final year of his contract, following this season, he only has a mere $3 million in guaranteed money remaining on his deal. This makes him pretty attractive to a team looking for a short-term rental since they don’t really need to worry about finding a trade partner later on, should the move prove ineffective.

On the flip side, Olynyk technically has two years of team control left. Therefore, should a team trading for him wish to keep him around, all they need to do is fully guarantee his 2023-24 salary up to $12.2 million, an affordable price for a stretch big who excels in catch-and-shoot situations. Additionally, Olynyk will become extension eligible on August 2, 2023 (depending on when the contract was actually signed) until June 30, 2024, assuming the final year becomes fully guaranteed.

Okay, so if Utah is looking to sell and Olynyk’s shooting is so strong, why is he still on the team? The Jazz are playing the trade game the way they should: slowly. Why rush? They’re the team with the assets. Look how it paid off for them with the Donovan Mitchell trade. For months, everyone thought the trade partner was going to be the Knicks. I’m sure the Jazz were offered a trade package for Mitchell relatively early on that half the league wouldn’t hesitate to accept.

Instead, they waited. They let competition build and they got an absolute haul of draft picks as a reward. Don’t mistake the Jazz’s surprising start for an accelerated rebuild around standout Lauri Markkanen. Judgment Day is coming in Salt Lake City, and something tells me February 9th might be the date with Kelly Olynyk amongst the victims.