Kelly Olynyk, formerly of Gonzaga, was moved to the Toronto Raptors.
On Thursday, the Utah Jazz sent Ochai Agbaji and Kelly Olynyk to the Toronto Raptors, who received Otto Porter Jr., Kira Lewis Jr., and a 2024 first-round pick in return.
Born in Toronto, Olynyk attended South Kamloops Secondary School in British Columbia, which is located almost 2,500 miles west of the Raptors’ home court. Over the course of his 11-year NBA career, Olynyk will wear the uniform for six different teams.
The former Gonzaga star played in 50 games with the Jazz, including eight starts, averaging 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and a career-high 4.4 assists. Olynyk is hitting career-high percentages from the field as well, shooting 42.9% of 3-pointers and 56.2% overall. This offseason, the 32-year-old will be a free agent.
While the Raptors are four games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final play-in tournament slot in the East, Olynyk helped the Jazz finish with a.500 record and a 10th-place ranking in the Western Conference. After trading Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers in the previous month, Toronto needed additional depth in the frontcourt. In the meantime, Utah took advantage of Olynyk’s trade value the day after obtaining a second-round pick from the Detroit Pistons.
Months after finishing third at the FIBA World Cup to help the men’s senior national team qualify for the 2024 Olympics, Olynyk is back home in Canada. Throughout eight games, the 6-foot-11 stretch big averaged 10.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. In the bronze medal game, he scored 11 points to help Canada overcome Team USA, 127-118.
