Jazz F Kelly Olynyk Facing an Uncertain Future in Salt Lake City

Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk has had a busy summer.

The future of Utah Jazz power forward Kelly Olynyk in Salt Lake City is up in the air. Olynyk will be entering his second year with the Jazz, pegged as the backup to the newly-acquired John Collins at the four to begin the year. 

However, Olynyk's days as a Jazzman could be numbered with his expiring contract paired with Utah’s decision to select Taylor Hendricks with the No. 9 overall pick of the 2023 NBA draft. 

Olynyk was solid in his first year with the Jazz. The well-traveled veteran started in all 68 games that he played, averaging 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest. Although Utah fell a couple of games short of qualifying for the play-in tournament, it was still deemed a successful year considering the expectations to begin the campaign.

Olynyk reflected on his first year as a Jazzman in his end-of-season press conference.

“I mean, it was obviously a little bit of a roller coaster, but it was a good time,” Olynyk said back in April. “It was fun. We saw a lot of potential in our group, a lot to build on, build towards—so it’s definitely looking forward and promising.”

Moving ahead, the likelihood of Olynyk finishing the year in a Jazz uniform is bleak, especially if an opportunity for a top-tier talent becomes available on the trade market. Utah would need Olynyk's $12.2 million cap number to help match the salary coming back. Again, this is only if a blockbuster-type trade were to present itself.

Until then, Olynyk provides quality depth at the four and a backup center that can space the floor. Due to Olynyk still producing quality minutes on the court, there shouldn’t be a rush to make a trade out of the gates unless Hendricks shows he’s NBA-ready on day one.

Eventually, Utah’s first pick in the 2023 draft will need a path to get more live reps to develop. Hendricks offers more than Olynyk on the defensive end as a rim protector due to his 7-foot-1 wingspan and ability to quickly cover a large amount of space. But until he earns his keep with his play on the court, Okynyk will be the player slated to get the backup minutes at the four.

Olynyk will have a lot on his plate as we inch closer to training camp, but for now, he's zeroed in on what's going on today in regard to the International stage. He’s an important component of Team Canada, which will compete in the FIBA World Cup later this month. 

Canada has a star-studded cast that includes Jamal Murray, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and RJ Barrett, leading a team that many consider to be Team USA’s stiffest competition to bring home the trophy.

Olynyk noted that competing for the World Cup is his main focus right now.

“That’s like my biggest plan right now, competing in that world cup, and you know, try to get that Olympic berth,” Olynyk said. “Other than that, hopefully, be in and out of Utah working with the guys and young guys, coaching staff, continue to try and get better, get more connected, and continue to grow.”

Jazz fans can catch Olynyk on the court when Canada faces New Zealand on August 12.

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