With the Jazz (22-21) in town Saturday to face the Rockets at Toyota Center, could veteran big man Kelly Olynyk be auditioning for a potential role with the Rockets (19-21) next month?
According to Matt Moore of The Action Network, Olynyk is on a “short list” of potential center targets for Rockets general manager Rafael Stone. Washington’s Daniel Gafford is another option, with talks likely to pick up as the Feb. 8 in-season trade deadline nears.
Now 32 years old, the 6-foot-11 Olynyk is having another productive year in Utah, where he’s averaging 8.0 points (54.6% FG, 41.7% on 3-pointers), 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 20.9 minutes per game.
Olynyk isn’t a particularly strong defensive big man, but he’s among the best when it comes to shooting and playmaking at the position. That could be a good fit for a Houston team that is already familiar with that archetype at center, given that its starter is Alperen Sengun.
Olynyk is currently in the final season of his contract ($12.2-million salary in 2023-24) with the Jazz. Thus, even though he’s a productive player for a Utah team that is exceeding expectations, it could make sense for the Jazz to try and extract some value for Olynyk — rather than risk him leaving for no compensation in 2024 free agency.
I wrote on every team in the league headed into the deadline, what I've heard, what they might do, needs, targets, and more. https://t.co/Md1eYwsE3F
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) January 20, 2024
Olynyk played 27 games with the Rockets after the 2020-21 in-season trade deadline, averaging 19.0 points (54.5% FG, 39.2% on 3-pointers), 8.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 31.1 minutes.
As for Gafford, the 6-foot-10 center is averaging 10.4 poitns (68.5% FG), 7.6 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 26.1 minutes. Unlike Olynyk, Gafford would be more of a contrast to Sengun, with his attributes including strong athleticism, rim protection on defense, and potential as a lob threat on offense. He’s not nearly the shooter or facilitator.
Now 25 years old, Gafford is under contract through the 2025-26 season at an average of just over $13.0 million per year.
