Kelly Olynyk is a guy that perhaps doesn’t get his due. He has a lot going for him. A player that stands at six feet eleven inches tall and can shoot the long ball is not something rare these days in the NBA. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be valuable to the Los Angeles Lakers.
There are many players that are big and that can shoot from long range. Olynyk though has played quite well the last two years. Especially this season, where he was shipped to the Houston Rockets and averaged a career-high 13.5 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, and 2.9 assists per game.
We don’t know what will happen with players such as Marc Gasol and Andre Drummond but if they or the Lakers choose to move on from each other, Olynyk could be a solid replacement. Especially for Marc Gasol.
Why Kelly Olynyk would make sense on the Los Angeles Lakers:
Let’s say that Gasol chooses to retire; there would be an opening for another big man. Kelly Olynyk is a big man that can move around quite well, shoot the long ball, rebound and more. We have seen his game improve these last two seasons.
When he was in Miami, he had filled in well when the injuries occurred. I can see him coming off the bench to provide the Lakers with stability as he can play in a fast-paced type of offense or in one that is a little bit slower.
Either way, I like the fact that he can pass, shoot, and rebound. That is basically the reason they signed Marc Gasol last year as well as because of his defensive ability and his veteran presence. Olynyk would be a younger upgrade.
His base salary last season was over $12 million. Now, while he had his best season altogether, that can either help or hurt the Lakers if they choose to explore him as a possible signing option. Olynyk may be able to get the same or perhaps more money. Of course, he may also want to win a ring and therefore play on a team that will be a legit contender.
With the Los Angeles Lakers in need of a legit deep threat, it wouldn’t hurt them to look into Olynyk as he can provide that part as well as the various other talents he possesses. If Marc Gasol decides to retire or the Lakers move on from him and if they are not able to or choose not to re-sign players like Andre Drummond and Ben McLemore, it will do two things.
One, there will be an opening for another big body. Two, there will be a need to have a deep threat as well as a solid rebounder and passer. Therefore, it couldn’t hurt to look into him.